Kenyan Writes To Trump Seeking Deportation Of Susan Kihika
Governor Kihika, who was elected in August 2022, is entitled to a 90-day maternity leave under Kenyan law. However, her extended stay abroad has led to growing frustrations among Nakuru residents
Marvin Chege 
A Kenyan residing in Nakuru County has written to United States (US) President Donald Trump asking him to deport Governor Susan Kihika amidst concerns over her prolonged absence. The county boss has reportedly been in the US for nearly five months seeking maternity and newborn medical care.
Governor Kihika, who was elected in August 2022, is entitled to a 90-day maternity leave under Kenyan law. However, her extended stay abroad has led to growing frustrations among Nakuru residents, who argue that her absence has created a leadership vacuum in the county.
In the letter obtained by Viral Tea, the resident, Evans Kimori, wants the US government to intervene and facilitate Governor Kihika’s return to Kenya to resume her responsibilities.
US President, Donald Trump. /ASSOCIATED PRESS
"Your Excellency, I am writing as a concerned citizen of Kenya, on behalf of the people of Kenyan Citizens, to be specific, Nakuru County, regarding the prolonged absence of the elected Governor, H.E. Susan Wakarura Kihika," the letter read in part.
"Governor Kihika, elected in August 2022, has allegedly been seeking maternity and newborn medical attention in the USA for an extended period. While maternity leave is recognized under Kenyan law for up to 90 days, she has been absent for nearly 5 months, creating a leadership vacuum in Nakuru County."
According to Kimori's letter, Kihika's decision to seek medical services abroad comes after her administration ordered the closure of War Memorial Hospital, a critical public healthcare facility that has served Nakuru residents since 1906.
He lamented that the closure, despite numerous court orders mandating its reopening, has left thousands of residents especially mothers, children, and patients with chronic illnesses without essential healthcare.
"While she enjoys advanced medical care in the U.S., the very people who elected her continue to suffer due to the collapse of local medical services under her leadership," Kimori lamented, adding that as an elected governor, Kihika 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."
While requesting Trump to facilitate her deportation and return to the country, Kimori argued that the people of Nakuru deserve accountable leadership, and "her continued stay in the U.S. undermines the trust and democratic mandate placed on her by the electorate."
Last week on Thursday, Nakuru residents filed a petition to the county assembly, calling for an urgent investigation into the whereabouts of Governor Susan Kihika.
In the petition presented on Thursday afternoon, the residents gave the county assembly a two-week deadline to determine the reason behind Kihika's extended absence from office.
On February 19, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja demanded that either the county boss resigns or face impeachment. This is following a controversy that culminated in her six-month civil jail sentence.
She urged Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to initiate impeachment proceedings against her if she failed to heed the Senator's resignation call.
“Kihika should resign. If she is not resigning, the MCAs should impeach her, and if they don’t impeach her, I’m going to take a vote of no confidence on the floor of the Senate,” she warned while speaking during a Senate session.
Previously, she pointed an accusing finger at Kihika, lamenting that "She has failed in her leadership of Nakuru County. That one I can tell her for free."
