There’s no power vacuum – Kones defends Kihika’s absence
Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones has strongly refuted claims of a power vacuum in the county, asserting that all governmental operations continue to run smoothly in Governor Susan Kihika’s absence.
Speaking on Thursday, March 27, 2025, Kones said all departments are functioning effectively under his coordination, crediting Governor Kihika’s leadership and the structures she established before travelling abroad.
He noted that the governor had left clear instructions delegating authority during her absence, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.
“We have the best people working in various departments. All departments are working very well with me because of the organization our governor set. She is a team leader who gave us a very good structure on how to work,” Kones said.
“There’s no department which is not doing its roles. Everything is going on very well because she set the county in motion. Nobody is sleeping in any department,” he added.
The deputy governor pointed to specific examples of his recent activities, including chairing cabinet meetings and overseeing the distribution of Early Childhood Development (ECD) chairs and books across the county on January 14, 2025.
These actions, he argued, demonstrate the county’s continued effectiveness.
“So there’s no vacuum. I want to state very clearly that there is no vacuum. Those who are propagating such narratives are simply seeking relevance, but they are irrelevant,” he added.
The deputy governor further explained that Governor Kihika had formally delegated her responsibilities to him before travelling to the United States, where she is on maternity leave.
“The governor stated very clearly when she went to the USA to deliver. She wrote a letter and it was there on the internet that the County work has been given to the Deputy Governor to chair all the meetings and ensure the county runs smoothly. The governor has a lot of faith in me and the officers working in the county,” he said.
Kones dismissed suggestions that he should act as the governor in Kihika’s absence, stating that he remains committed to his role as deputy and fully supports the governor’s leadership.
“People want to see me shouting and chest-thumping that I am the CEO when the governor is not there. I still remain the deputy governor and I am supporting her 24/7,” he affirmed.
Calls for Kihika’s return
Kones’ remarks come amid mounting concerns over Governor Kihika’s absence, with some Nakuru residents demanding her return.
On March 24, 2025, Evans Kimori, a Nakuru resident, wrote to US President Donald Trump urging the deportation of Governor Kihika to compel her return to Nakuru.
“On behalf of the residents of Nakuru, I respectfully request your intervention in facilitating (deporting) her return to Kenya so that she can resume her duties,” Kimori’s letter read in part.
Kimori accused the governor of abandoning her duties, blaming her absence for the deteriorating state of services in the county, including the closure of War Memorial Hospital, which argued has left many residents without essential healthcare.
He further argued that Kihika’s continued stay abroad undermines the trust and democratic mandate given to her by Nakuru voters while drawing a salary despite her absence.
“As an elected governor, she has a constitutional duty to ensure that public services, including healthcare, remain accessible to the people. However, her prolonged absence while critical services in Nakuru deteriorate amounts to neglect of her responsibilities despite her receiving huge salaries,” Kimori lamented.
Unbowed
Despite the criticism, Governor Kihika has continued to highlight development milestones in the county, including road upgrades and water projects.
“To support our farmers this planting season, we have opened the Molo and Kiptororo satellite stores, which have already received 640 and 600 bags of subsidized fertilizer, respectively. This is part of my administration’s commitment to easing the burden on farmers by bringing essential agricultural inputs closer to them, reducing transportation costs, and ensuring timely access to fertilizer. We will continue expanding our network of satellite stores across Nakuru County to support our farmers and enhance agricultural productivity,” Kihika posted on her official Facebook page on March 27, 2025.
