The year 2025 started with little activities in the Nakuru’s political space as people were busy reorganizing their lives after a busy festive season.

However, as the year progressed attention slowly began shifting towards the county’s politics after certain issues demanding political attention emerged.

It all began with the abrupt of the county boss, Governor Susan Kihika from the public space. There is a saying, out of sight, out of mind, but this does not apply to the Governor; in fact, her absence spoke louder than her presence.

As 2024 came to an end and 2025 was beginning, the Governor had gone Missing in Action (MIA) for a while, and it just started with quiet whispers. “Kwani mama ako wapi?” By the time photos of her not being present at the Christmas gifting that she does in Ngata emerged, things had escalated.

Conversations then made their way to the social media platforms, and soon, when we crossed over to 2025, people started demanding to know her whereabouts.

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Photo credit: COURTESY

All focus shifted to the county government as the public sought to understand how their governor could be missing for close to five months without giving an explanation. Well, in due time an explanation came, but her employers (the Nakuru people) expected one sooner.

There are those who know how to capitalize on situations, and one such person was Engineer Evans Kimori. The absence of the Governor gave the engineer the perfect opportunity to come out of the woodworks and be at the forefront demanding information regarding the governor’s whereabouts.

At first, he started by petitioning the county assembly to inquire about the whereabouts of the Governor from the executive. His actions were met by opposition from Susan’s supporters, who came up with their own narrative of the whole situation.

When the Engineer saw that the local government was not really helping the Nakuru people get answers, he turned to President Donald Trump.

In a letter he addressed to Trump, he asked him to intervene in the matter regarding the prolonged absence of Governor Susan Kihika.

“We would like the American authorities to communicate with us about the status of the Governor, who is an elected leader in Kenya,” he said.

He also stated that the main reason for this action was to seek accountability, as the residents of Nakuru have a right to know where their leader is, given that there are matters of county importance that require the Governor’s attention.
During this time, we also learnt that the Engineer declared his interest in contesting for the Governor’s seat.

The Naivasha MP, Jayne Kihara, has also been in the news headlines following her fallout with the current Kenya Kwanza regime following the impeachment of the former Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua

NAivasha MP Jayne Kihara

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After the whole Gachagua impeachment saga and the formation of the Democratic Citizens Party, the Naivasha MP came out openly and declared her support for the former DP, even looking to realign with him.

Why was this special? Well, in a county with 11 constituencies, when the leader of the largest constituency decides to stop supporting the government of the day and join the opposition, it speaks volumes, especially in the political space.

Soon enough, we get to hear that the MP had been arrested, and she was taken from her home in Naivasha to Pangani Police Station, where she was detained. In court, she learnt that she was being charged with offensive conduct, and she was released on Sh. 50,000 bond.

Additionally, to this, President Ruto has made numerous visits to Nakuru, and even in the latest meeting at the Nakuru State House that was attended by all the leaders in Nakuru, she was conspicuously missing, not just in that meeting but also in several other functions, a sign perhaps of the battle lines being drawn.

The former Nakuru Governor, Lee Kinyanjui, was sworn in as the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. This was clear proof that in politics there are never any long-lasting enemies.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui addressing residents in Nakuru city when he accompanied President William Ruto's trip to Nakuru town on November 28.

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The former governor, who for the past years, after losing the 2022 gubernatorial election, was seen as a critic of the government, decided to join them. With every visit he makes, he seems to be stirring the political pot, perhaps an indicator of a political twist coming up ahead, with some speculating his return to vie for a second term, while others watch closely to see whether he will leverage his position to get Nakuru a share of the national cake.

The Molo Member of County Assembly (MCA) Joseph Ngware also found himself in a fight for his survival to defend his Deputy Speaker position.

How did he get here? the Molo MCA's sentiments during a funeral in his ward that was attended by leaders both in the county level and national level were interpreted a manner that suggested he was supporting the opposition activities in the county.

Soon enough an impeachment motion was brought before the house and in a span of four hours he was already relieved of his duties and was immediately replaced by Anthony Kamau, the Nakuru East MCA.

His troubled did not end there. On July 5, the MCA found himself in trouble yet again after he was arrested and later arraigned on claims that on accusations of inciting youths to attack the Molo police station, municipal offices and judiciary offices.

Key newsmakers in Nakuru’s 2025 political scene

Author Spotlight

Bret Sanya