Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and his predecessor Lee Kinyanjui clashed at a funeral ceremony over stalled development projects in the county.

The duo were among the leaders who attended the burial of Alice Chepkoech Rutto at Olenguruone area in Kuresoi South Sub-county.

The deceased was the wife of Joseph Rutto, who serves as the political advisor in Kihika’s office.

Rutto also served as the deputy governor to the county’s inaugural governor Kinuthia Mbugua who was also present at the burial.

Kinyanjui in his address to mourners expressed concern that most of the projects he initiated were yet to be completed by the current administration.

Health facilities

The former governor cited the Keringet Athletic Training Stadium, and scores of health facilities and several roads projects as among the stalled projects.

The former governor said it was his wish for the projects to be completed to benefit the members of the public.

Kinyanjui added his call on the completion of the projects should not be interpreted as an attack on any leader.

However, Kihika accused Kinyanjui’s administration of initiating many health facilities without setting aside money to equip them. She said she had come up with a policy of undertaking a few projects that would be immediately equipped once the construction was complete.

Eyeing the Governor’s seat

Kinyanjui is among a number of leaders said to be eyeing the gubernatorial seat in the next general election.

Kihika who won the seat on the UDA party ticket trounced Kinyanjui who run under the Azimio la Umoja coalition

Others who have expressed interest in running for the seat include Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja, and a former National Health Insurance Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Geoffrey Mwangi Gitau.

Kinyanjui told the gathering that he was aware his choice for a presidential candidate worked against him but asked the residents to reconsider their stand since they had already embraced the ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The former governor who leads the Ubuntu People’s Party joined the Azimio Coalition supporting Odinga’s presidential bide

Kinyanjui had initially said he would defend the seat on his Ubuntu People’s Forum party before President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the patron of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance, convinced him to join Jubilee Party.

The weekend burial event was the first time for Kihika and her two predecessors,  Kinuthia Mbugua and Kinyanjui shared a platform.

Mbugua called on leaders to remain united urging them to always use dialogue to resolves issues in the county.

Kinyanjui campaigned on the platform of improving health and infrastructure while seeking his first term. This time round, the governor says his second term, if he wins, will focus on the development of agriculture and economic empowerment of residents.