Kihika chairs first Cabinet meeting after maternity leave

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika on Tuesday, 29 April, chaired her first cabinet meeting since returning from maternity leave, signaling a renewed focus on development and service delivery across the county.

The meeting, attended by members of the County Executive Committee, centered on expediting ongoing development projects and reinforcing the county’s service agenda.

Kihika said her return would inject fresh energy into implementing the pledges outlined in her 2022 people-centered manifesto.

“My presence will give a fresh impetus and direction to service delivery and completion of development projects,” she said during the session.

A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of the county’s development budget for the 2025/26 Financial Year, spanning July 2025 to June 2026. The budget aligns with the Nakuru County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027, and focuses on strategic resource allocation for sustainable growth.

Priority areas

Priority areas include health, agriculture, infrastructure, education, sports, and tourism—sectors deemed critical to the socio-economic wellbeing of Kenya’s third-largest economy.

“We agreed on a collective effort by the Executive to fast-track completion of ongoing development projects,” Kihika later posted on Facebook.

She underscored her administration’s commitment to prudent financial management and efficient governance to maximize the impact of public spending.

“The completion of these projects will benefit all residents of Nakuru County,” she noted, adding that her goal is to improve the quality of life for the county’s 2.1 million residents.

Kihika’s return comes at a pivotal time, as her administration aims to meet key development targets and address stalled initiatives inherited from previous regimes.

The approved budget now moves to the County Assembly for deliberation, with public participation forums planned to promote transparency and citizen engagement.

The cabinet also resolved to closely monitor project timelines and uphold procurement regulations to ensure delivery of the planned developments.

Residents and local leaders welcomed Kihika’s return and expressed optimism about her leadership, also celebrating the safe arrival of her twin babies.

In an earlier post, the governor expressed her gratitude for the warm reception she and her children received upon returning home.

“Your love, prayers, and presence mean the world to me and my family. Thank you for standing with me in this special season of double blessings,” she wrote.