Fast rising Senator Susan Kihika has today declared that she will contest for the Nakuru gubernatorial seat in the 2022 general elections.
The former Jubilee Majority Whip in the senate said that God willing, she will battle it out with the incumbent Lee Kinyanjui.
On Thursday, Kihika told a local television in an interview that it was time more women took up leadership mantles in the men dominated docket.
“I am definitely going for it. In the whole country, we had three female governors. But, after the demise of (Dr) Joyce Laboso, we now have two. In 2022, I want to join the league of women governors in Kenya. My people have been telling me to do so and I am listening to them.” Kihika said.
Her recent close association with Deputy President William Ruto has seen her become one of the most talked about political figures in Nakuru, a move that has given her the impetus to vie for the top seat.
“There is a very big chance that, yes, I will throw my hat in the ring. We need more women governors and I think I am as good as the next one and I am able to compete favourably with the men of Nakuru County,” said Senator Kihika.
She has been at the forefront fiercely defending DP Ruto against intimidation and ridicule, and she paid a hefty price when she was replaced with Murang’a senator Irungu Kang’ata.
He demotion from the powerful senate position has been a blessing in disguise as her political star continues to rise and has the backing of majority Mps from Nakuru County.
The former Nakuru speaker’s declaration has thrown the county’s politics into a spin, at a time when the current governor has come under immense pressure from the people for his latest decision to bar Matatus from central business district.
The self proclaimed ‘Chemolel’ has battled it out with her make counterparts and has twice emerged victorious – winning the county assembly speaker seat in 2013 and rising to become a senator in 2017 general elections.
She is the daughter of the late veteran politician Dickson Kihika Kimani.
