Why Kihika endorsing Gikaria for Senator risks pushing Tabitha Karanja into Ngunjiri’s fate
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 25, 2025Nakuru County Governor Susan Kihika’s political influence in the county is not something to take for granted.
Although not overwhelmingly significant, there are many people who would want to listen to her.
Her public endorsement of Nakuru West MP David Gikaria, who is eyeing the incumbent senator’s seat in 2027, might spell doom for Tabitha ‘Keroche’ Karanja, who is currently at loggerheads with Kihika.
The feud has been escalating day by day, with the two trading words against each other, Keroche criticising her for everything she does, including her recent maternity leave in the USA, which left the county under the charge of the chief of staff for over three months.
Top government officials at one point during the early days of their conflict tried to intervene and broker a truce between the two, but it never materialised.
The two had jointly campaigned together in 2022, being labelled as the “Nakuru Girls”, but with no signs of the feud quelling any time soon and with the senator continuing her criticism towards Kihika, the governor has decided to throw her weight behind Nakuru West MP David Gikaria to face her in 2027.
Kihika has accused the senator of being missing in action, labelling her as mtu wa makelele, or Mama Pima, as a way to punish her for her continued criticism. This endorsement should worry Keroche if she is interested in defending her seat in 2027, as it might cost her politically.
2022 saga
The senator should learn from former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, whose defeat is largely attributed to his feud with Kihika. Their differences escalated to unimaginable levels, and despite the two being members of the same party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Ngunjiri went ahead to endorse Jubilee candidate Lee Kinyanjui.
PHOTO/Oscar Sudi/Facebook
In response, Kihika retaliated by throwing her weight behind Irene Njoki, who managed to dwarf Ngunjiri, something Ngunjiri still laments to date, attributing his loss to Kihika’s alleged foul play in influencing the vote in favour of Njoki.
Things might not be different for Keroche. She should not underestimate Kihika’s influence, as she might follow in Ngunjiri’s footsteps, who still laments years after his election loss.
Kihika hails from a political dynasty. Her father, Kihika Kimani, is a popular name in Nakuru politics, holding the record of serving in three different constituencies. Susan seems to have taken after him.
Nakuru politics
At the end of the day, Nakuru’s politics isn’t just about parties and positions; it’s about personalities and influence. Susan Kihika has shown time and again that she is not a leader to be taken lightly, and her open support for David Gikaria sends a strong warning to Senator Tabitha Keroche.
For Keroche, the lesson is simple: a feud with Kihika is never without consequences. As 2027 draws closer, she may find herself walking the same painful path that Kimani Ngunjiri still regrets to this day.