Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has fired her speechwriter after an embarrassing moment during her Madaraka Day speech on Sunday, June 1.
While listing development projects in Nakuru County, Kihika mistakenly referred to the Wanyororo Vocational Training Centre in Kabatini as “Wamunyoro,” a name strongly associated with the home of the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Nyeri County.
The mix-up caused laughter among the audience, and Kihika quickly corrected herself and made it clear that the mistake had cost someone their job. She said during the speech, “Construction of two lecture rooms at Wamunyoro no, sorry, Wanyororo vocational centre in Kabatini.
And by the way, my writer of this speech is fired.”The governor used the opportunity to reaffirm her loyalty to President William Ruto, assuring the crowd that she would always stand by him.
“Don’t worry. I will always be at Ruto’s side,” she told the cheering crowd. Her show of support comes at a time when political tension is still simmering between different factions within the ruling coalition, especially those allied with the former Deputy President.
Kihika has never hidden her criticism of Rigathi Gachagua. Over the past year, she has become one of his most vocal opponents, especially after his impeachment in October 2024. Her public rejection of his politics has made headlines on many occasions.
Just last month, Kihika slammed Gachagua after he made controversial remarks warning of possible post-election violence if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission failed to deliver credible elections.
He claimed the next election could be worse than the 2007/2008 chaos if things were not handled properly.
Kihika dismissed those remarks as dangerous and said such statements should not come from a leader, especially one from a region that was deeply affected by past violence.
She said Gachagua was behaving as if his political downfall was a national tragedy, which she strongly disagreed with. In her words, “This is extremely reckless. Coming from a region that bore the brunt of the chaos, I find it unacceptable. Gachagua must stop imagining his political battles are national emergencies.” She went on to say, “There comes a time when a country is bigger than an individual.
Gachagua, that time is now. We will not bleed again not for any politician.”Her sentiments were echoed by Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who also called on political leaders to stop making statements that could incite the public.
The MP warned that careless talk could lead to instability and suffering for ordinary citizens. The incident during the Madaraka Day speech, while humorous to many, highlighted the ongoing political tension and rivalry that continues to shape the national conversation.
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