Kihika at One: What Susan should do to steer Nakuru county forward
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika.
Governor Susan Kihika’s one year in office has been marred by intense comparison between her and her predecessor Lee Kinyanjui by Nakuru residents.
Those in her favour argue that it is unfair to judge her competency purely based on the one year, adding that a lot can be done in four years.
To start with, Kihika went on record saying she will prioritize completion of the projects that were started by the previous regime.
Read: Kihika at One: How Susan 'sweet talked' her way into the hearts of Nakuru health workers
These remarks were found commendable by a section of residents, saying projects are meant to benefit the common man and as such should not be labelled an individual's achievement.
However, a section of opinion leaders opposing Kihika said the decision was made for her to take credit of works done by Kinyanjui.
Notably, some residents have questioned her ability to salvage the health sector from the ongoing crisis; with a series of industrial action being witnessed in the county.
The issue of promotion of health workers has been the big question in the room.
Will this be done to calm the raging storm in Nakuru’s health sector or will residents have to wait and see who between the county government and health workers blinks first?
While this is going on, Kihika’s plan to construct, three level four hospitals in Subukia, Rongai and Kuresoi North has had high approval among residents who stand to benefit.
However, the success of these projects is hinged on the county administration’s ability to solve the existing issues in the health sector.
Staff shortfalls, unequipped facilities and lack of medicine supplies are things that must be looked into.
Also Read: Kihika at One: Will Susan change the narrative of street families in Nakuru?
Acting County Secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura notes that Ms Kihika also plans to support the sports sector on a Sh 27 million budget that will see the constitution of a Nakuru county sports team.
“The plan is to start sports competition from ward level as we get to county competitions. The main goal being talent search to come up with a strong county team that could represent the county in notable sporting events,” he says.
If this is achieved, Nakuru could see a pool of young stars benefiting from the Talanta Hela initiative, which runs nationally, giving different sportsmen the opportunity to earn from their talent.
Read: Kihika at One: A tough talking governor with a few fulfilled promises
Kihika must however ensure equal representation of youth from all eleven sub counties.
According to Dr Mwaura, Governor Kihika has also laid out plans in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) education sector by completing ECD classrooms that had stalled.
This must be accompanied by a clear plan on employment of ECD teachers and equipping of these classrooms with age appropriate furniture.
The governor has also appeared relentless in her mission to have the decades long caveat on the eastern Mau forest lifted.
While addressing the media in a recent event, Kihika promised to continue working on having the caveat lifted, in the areas of Molo, Njoro and Kuresoi North.
However, this decision raised concerns with environment experts, saying the lifting of the caveat may open room for deforestation.
Forest conservation measures must then accompany this move to ensure no illegal logging activities take place.
Related: Kihika at One: What Susan has done for the people of Nakuru
All eyes are now set on Governor Kihika to see that the promises made to Nakuru residents are fulfilled.
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