Governor Susan Kihika Appeals to Nakuru Electorate to End "One-Term Jinx" Ahead of 2027 Polls

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika asks voters for a second term in 2027. Read her arguments on development consistency and the political hurdles she faces.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 4:50 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

The Challenge of Administrative Discontinuity

Governor Susan Kihika has identified the "one-term jinx" as a primary obstacle to the structural growth of Nakuru County. Speaking at the Farmers Training Centre in Soilo, the Governor noted that since the inception of devolution in 2013, no incumbent has successfully defended their seat. Kihika argued that this cycle of frequent leadership changes forces new administrations to spend their first three years finding their footing rather than delivering results, effectively moving the county "ten steps forward and twenty steps backward."

Historical Precedents of One-Term Tenure

The Governor’s plea is rooted in a consistent pattern observed over the last three general elections under the 2010 Constitution. The first governor, Kinuthia Mbugua (2013–2017), was unseated by Lee Kinyanjui, who currently serves as the CS for Trade and Investment. Kinyanjui, in turn, lost the 2022 election to Kihika. This high turnover rate has created a sense of administrative instability that Kihika believes must be broken in 2027 to ensure that development initiatives reach maturity.

Navigating Shifting Ethnic and Political Alliances

Kihika’s re-election bid faces significant headwinds due to deteriorating relations with key political blocs. For the past year, she has faced vocal criticism from leaders within the Kalenjin community, a demographic that has historically played a decisive role in the county's unwritten power-sharing agreements. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) into traditionally loyal constituencies has introduced a new layer of electoral volatility, complicating the Governor’s path to a second term.