A resident of Nakuru has written to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) seeking clarity on the procedure and threshold required to initiate the suspension of the Nakuru County Government.
In the letter addressed to the IEBC Nakuru County office, Evans Kimori requested official data on the number of registered voters in the county, as well as the minimum number of signatures required to commence the suspension process. Kimori cited growing public concern over the absence of Governor Susan Kihika and unrest allegedly linked to state agencies, including a reported spate of abductions by officers of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
This move follows two previous petitions by Kimori: one submitted to the County Assembly demanding information on the Governor’s whereabouts, and another controversially addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump, requesting the deportation of Governor Kihika.
Governor Kihika has not been seen publicly since November 18, 2024, when she attended a graduation ceremony for TVET students in the county. Amid mounting pressure, a section of women leaders from Nakuru defended the governor, explaining that she is currently on maternity leave in the United States.
Despite the explanation, the political atmosphere in the county remains tense, with residents calling for transparency and accountability in governance. Some have expressed concern over the county’s administrative paralysis during the Governor’s extended absence.
According to Article 192 of the Constitution of Kenya, the President may suspend a county government in cases of an internal conflict or if it fails to operate effectively. However, the process is stringent: it requires an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations, and the President must be satisfied that the claims are substantiated. The Senate also plays a critical role, with powers to approve or terminate the suspension.
Kimori’s letter to the IEBC signals a growing trend of civic engagement and public demand for accountability from elected leaders. Whether the petition will gain the required momentum remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly ignited political debate in Nakuru and beyond.
