H.E. Governor Susan Kihika, EGH, was elected the Governor of Nakuru County during the Kenyan General Elections on 9th August 2022. She assumed office on 25th August after taking the oath of office. Before becoming Governor, Susan Kihika served as the second Nakuru County Senator. She held the post from August 2017 to August 2022 […]
H.E. Governor Susan Kihika, EGH, was elected the Governor of Nakuru County during the Kenyan General Elections on 9th August 2022. She assumed office on 25th August after taking the oath of office.
Before becoming Governor, Susan Kihika served as the second Nakuru County Senator. She held the post from August 2017 to August 2022 when the term of the 3rd Kenyan Senate ended. As a Senator, Susan Kihika served as the Majority Whip for two years and was a member of the Senate Labour Committee until the end of her term.
As Senator, she carried out her oversight and representation role, always on the frontline lobbying for the rights of those she represented.
Between 2018 and 2022, Susan Kihika served as the International Parliamentarians Union (IPU) League of Women Parliamentarians president. This is a world body that brings all women parliamentarians on board.
Ahead of the 2022 General Elections, Susan Kihika was a founder member of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and was instrumental in its grassroots mobilization and growth.
She was admitted to the University of North Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In 2006, she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the Law School of Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas. Subsequently, she was admitted to the Texas Bar, after passing the requisite examinations.
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.): University of Nairobi
Postgraduate Diploma in Law: Kenya School of Law
Elected in 2022: Susan Kihika became the first woman Governor of Nakuru County after the 2022 general elections, running on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket. Key areas of focus during her governorship include:
Improvement of Infrastructure: Prioritizing road networks, market development, and access to clean water across Nakuru County.
Agricultural Development: Supporting the agricultural sector, particularly smallholder farmers, by enhancing access to markets and modern farming techniques.
Healthcare Access: Improving healthcare facilities and ensuring the availability of essential medical services for the people of Nakuru.
Youth and Women Empowerment: Advocating for more inclusive economic development programs and empowering women and youth in the region through training, business opportunities, and social services.
First Female Senator of Nakuru County: Before becoming Governor, Kihika served as the Senator for Nakuru County. Her work in the Senate included:
Championing Devolution: Advocating for increased funds for counties to ensure equitable distribution of resources and promoting the implementation of devolved services.
Gender Equality and Women's Rights: She was an active advocate for women’s rights, championing policies that address the challenges faced by women, especially in rural areas.
Youth Empowerment: As Senator, she initiated programs to support youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
Committees and Legislation: Served on key Senate committees, including those focused on devolution, public service, and agriculture.
Representing Nakuru Town East Constituency: Susan Kihika was elected as the Member of Parliament for Nakuru Town East, where she focused on:
Infrastructure Development: Improving roads and urban infrastructure in Nakuru Town.
Education and Health Services: She advocated for better facilities and services in schools and healthcare centers within her constituency.
Social Services: She worked to improve access to social services for her constituents, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.
Prior to her political career, Susan Kihika worked as a legal professional. She is a qualified lawyer and has held several key roles in both private and public legal services:
Lawyer and Legal Advisor: Kihika worked in various law firms, providing legal counsel and advocacy, particularly in areas concerning public policy, human rights, and governance.
Legal Practice: Her legal background has informed her approach to policy development, governance, and public administration.
Governor of Nakuru County (2022–Present):
Susan Kihika was elected the first female Governor of Nakuru County in 2022, running under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Her leadership focuses on:
Economic Development: She has prioritized creating a conducive environment for businesses, agriculture, and manufacturing to thrive in Nakuru, which is one of Kenya’s fastest-growing counties.
Infrastructure Improvement: Investing in road networks, especially in rural areas, to improve connectivity and promote trade.
Youth Empowerment: Advocating for policies and initiatives that promote youth employment, skill development, and entrepreneurship.
Healthcare Expansion: Working to enhance access to quality healthcare for Nakuru’s residents, with a particular focus on maternal and child health.
Before becoming governor, Kihika served as the Senator for Nakuru County from 2017 to 2022. As Senator, she: Advocated for the welfare of the people of Nakuru and other counties, focusing on education, infrastructure, and healthcare. Played a prominent role in the Senate, especially in matters related to devolution, fiscal policies, and the protection of the interests of counties in the national government. Was a strong voice for women in leadership and gender equality, frequently advocating for policies that promote women’s participation in politics and economic empowerment.
Political Party Affiliation: Susan Kihika is a prominent member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which is part of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition. She has worked closely with Deputy President William Ruto, whose political vision aligns with her own priorities for national development and the empowerment of marginalized groups.
She was admitted to the University of North Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In 2006, she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the Law School of Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas. Subsequently, she was admitted to the Texas Bar, after passing the requisite examinations.
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.): University of Nairobi
Postgraduate Diploma in Law: Kenya School of Law
Elected in 2022: Susan Kihika became the first woman Governor of Nakuru County after the 2022 general elections, running on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket. Key areas of focus during her governorship include:
Improvement of Infrastructure: Prioritizing road networks, market development, and access to clean water across Nakuru County.
Agricultural Development: Supporting the agricultural sector, particularly smallholder farmers, by enhancing access to markets and modern farming techniques.
Healthcare Access: Improving healthcare facilities and ensuring the availability of essential medical services for the people of Nakuru.
Youth and Women Empowerment: Advocating for more inclusive economic development programs and empowering women and youth in the region through training, business opportunities, and social services.
First Female Senator of Nakuru County: Before becoming Governor, Kihika served as the Senator for Nakuru County. Her work in the Senate included:
Championing Devolution: Advocating for increased funds for counties to ensure equitable distribution of resources and promoting the implementation of devolved services.
Gender Equality and Women's Rights: She was an active advocate for women’s rights, championing policies that address the challenges faced by women, especially in rural areas.
Youth Empowerment: As Senator, she initiated programs to support youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
Committees and Legislation: Served on key Senate committees, including those focused on devolution, public service, and agriculture.
Representing Nakuru Town East Constituency: Susan Kihika was elected as the Member of Parliament for Nakuru Town East, where she focused on:
Infrastructure Development: Improving roads and urban infrastructure in Nakuru Town.
Education and Health Services: She advocated for better facilities and services in schools and healthcare centers within her constituency.
Social Services: She worked to improve access to social services for her constituents, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.
Prior to her political career, Susan Kihika worked as a legal professional. She is a qualified lawyer and has held several key roles in both private and public legal services:
Lawyer and Legal Advisor: Kihika worked in various law firms, providing legal counsel and advocacy, particularly in areas concerning public policy, human rights, and governance.
Legal Practice: Her legal background has informed her approach to policy development, governance, and public administration.
Governor of Nakuru County (2022–Present):
Susan Kihika was elected the first female Governor of Nakuru County in 2022, running under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Her leadership focuses on:
Economic Development: She has prioritized creating a conducive environment for businesses, agriculture, and manufacturing to thrive in Nakuru, which is one of Kenya’s fastest-growing counties.
Infrastructure Improvement: Investing in road networks, especially in rural areas, to improve connectivity and promote trade.
Youth Empowerment: Advocating for policies and initiatives that promote youth employment, skill development, and entrepreneurship.
Healthcare Expansion: Working to enhance access to quality healthcare for Nakuru’s residents, with a particular focus on maternal and child health.
Before becoming governor, Kihika served as the Senator for Nakuru County from 2017 to 2022. As Senator, she: Advocated for the welfare of the people of Nakuru and other counties, focusing on education, infrastructure, and healthcare. Played a prominent role in the Senate, especially in matters related to devolution, fiscal policies, and the protection of the interests of counties in the national government. Was a strong voice for women in leadership and gender equality, frequently advocating for policies that promote women’s participation in politics and economic empowerment.
Political Party Affiliation: Susan Kihika is a prominent member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which is part of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition. She has worked closely with Deputy President William Ruto, whose political vision aligns with her own priorities for national development and the empowerment of marginalized groups.