They were always together during the campaign period towards the 2022 August Polls to a point that rumours claimed the duo could be related.

Perhaps their resemblance in one way or the other is what fuelled that story.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche, both in the United Democratic Party (UDA) perfected the art of campaigning together and complementing each other on various platforms.

However, their cordial relationship seems to have taken a different turn 10 months after they were elected into office.

The drift between the duo came out in the public domain when the county government of Nakuru released a memo to terminate the contracts of over 780 healthcare workers of different cadres who were on casual jobs.

Senator Karanja came out furiously cautioning the county government against such a move, instead urging the county to absorb the experienced and competent contract workers and employ them on a permanent basis.

Read: Nakuru senator Tabitha Karanja warns the County government against firing 780 healthcare workers

The move saw a heated debate online between pro- Kihika and pro-Tabitha bloggers.

A check into various WhatsApp groups in Nakuru county, one would think it was election mood and that Senator Karanja and Governor Kihika were contesting the same seat.

On her part, Tabitha insisted that absorption of the workers would help avoid possible loss of experienced and well-trained staff to other regions especially after spending taxpayers' money on capacity building.

But on the other hand, the county government maintained that the move was in-order and that it was only aimed at streamlining the workforce in the healthcare sector.

Though it was evident that the matter had created a rift between the two, Tabitha maintained that there was no bad blood between them and that she was just playing her oversight role as a Senator.

"As a senator mandated to oversee the county government, it is my opinion that our county is likely to fall into a possible health crisis if urgent intervention is not made," she said.

The matter was taken to court by the Kenya National Union of Nurses that saw the High Court’s Lady Justice Wasilwa temporarily stop the implementation of the circular by the county until the matter is heard and determined.

Also Read: Court suspends dismissal of more than 780 casual hospital workers in Nakuru

Senator Karanja once again took to her official Facebook account praising the courts for the decision on the matter.

Cases of bad blood between elected Governors and Senators is not a new thing in Nakuru county.

Kihika and former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui were also not in good terms especially after it emerged that Kihika who by then was Senator would go for the gubernatorial seat in 2022.

However, Ben Macharia from friends of Devolution argues that there is a clear difference between the roles of a Senator and those of the Governor adding that this should not stir differences between the two leaders who are all key in service delivery as far as devolution is concerned.

According to Macharia, matters of service delivery should not be politicized by any political leader as it will derail the achievements of devolution.

pmambili@gmail.com

Related: Senator Tabitha Karanja leaves Keroche to focus on politics

County politics threatens Kihika, Tabitha 'sisterhood'

Author Spotlight

Pristone Mambili