Nakuru Governor, husband fire back at impeached Deputy President
By Waweru Bernard, July 25, 2025Political temperatures in Nakuru County are on the rise following a fiery exchange between Governor Susan Kihika and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The spat, which centres around allegations of political interference and intimidation, marks fresh tensions in the deepening rift among Kenya Kwanza leaders and the former Mathira lawmaker.
Kihika strongly dismissed recent accusations by Gachagua, who alleged that her husband, businessman Samuel Mburu, ordered police officers to disrupt a DCP meeting over the weekend in Subukia.
The meeting, part of a “meet-the-people” tour by DCP leaders, was reportedly cut short by police action, a move Gachagua attributed to Mburu’s alleged influence within the county.
Speaking during the launch of the Taifa Care initiative in Nakuru, a visibly agitated Kihika scoffed at Gachagua’s claims, accusing him of political blackmail and intimidation.
“Leave my husband alone. He is not an elected leader but a businessman. How can a civilian order police to disrupt your rally?” posed Kihika.
The governor went further, branding the former Deputy President a “propagandist” and urging him to keep her family out of political disputes.
“Do not bring your nonsense to my family. We have known you for a while — you are a propagandist,” she added.
Reckless behaviour
Kihika also accused Gachagua of harboring bitterness since his impeachment and blamed his “reckless” behavior for his political downfall.
“He said that Nakuru residents will not vote for me. Does he have their votes in his pocket?” she questioned.
Gachagua, a prominent figure in the DCP party, has recently ramped up criticism of Kihika’s administration, alleging that Mburu is the de facto leader of Nakuru County, wielding undue influence over government affairs.
The businessman, known to be an associate of President William Ruto, has come under increasing scrutiny from opposition voices within the region.
The DCP party has steadily gained traction in Nakuru, positioning itself as a viable alternative ahead of the 2027 General Election.
One of the party’s most prominent aspirants, former NHIF CEO CPA Geoffrey Mwangi Gitau, has declared his interest in unseating Governor Kihika. Mwangi has been actively mobilizing support on the ground while popularizing the DCP platform.
Meanwhile, in what appears to be a significant political realignment, several United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders in Nakuru are shelving past rivalries to forge unity.
Notably, Rongai MP Paul Chebor, once a vocal critic of Governor Kihika, has recently softened his stance.
Tomorrow, Chebor is expected to host all 11 Nakuru MPs at Mercy Njeri Secondary School during the launch of a new school bus, with Kihika as the chief guest – a gesture seen as a possible thawing of political tensions within the ruling party.
As political camps begin to reorganizs ahead of the 2027 polls, Nakuru remains a key battleground.