I’ll keep the article focused on Kihika’s remarks, Nakuru’s political identity and the debate over outside influence in county politics, without presenting either side’s position as established fact.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has renewed her political differences with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, insisting that residents of the county have the right to determine their own political future without interference from leaders outside the region.

Kihika dismissed attempts to associate Nakuru with the Mount Kenya political bloc, maintaining that the county belongs to the Rift Valley region and has a distinct political identity. She argued that Nakuru residents should not be directed on whom to support or which political alliances to join based on the interests of leaders from other regions.

Speaking on Friday, November 6, 2026, the governor maintained that the people of Nakuru would independently make decisions concerning their leadership and political direction.

She used the geographical identity of the county to challenge Gachagua's political position, declaring that Nakuru's mountain was Menengai and not Mount Kenya. Her remarks were a direct response to the former Deputy President's growing political interest in the county as leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Kihika's statement comes amid increasing political disagreements between the two leaders, with Gachagua previously criticising her administration and calling for a change of leadership in Nakuru. The former Deputy President has been engaging political leaders and residents in the county as he seeks to expand the influence of his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

The governor's response suggests that she is unwilling to allow external political figures to determine the county's political direction. She maintained that Nakuru has its own political interests and that residents should be allowed to make choices based on their priorities rather than instructions from influential national leaders.

Nakuru is one of Kenya's cosmopolitan counties, with residents from different communities living and conducting business across its towns and rural areas. Its political landscape has historically involved different community interests, making political alliances and leadership negotiations important features of its electoral contests.

Kihika's remarks have therefore brought renewed attention to the question of Nakuru's political identity and whether the county should be included in wider regional political arrangements being promoted by different leaders.

The governor also accused Gachagua of allegedly intimidating Kikuyu businesspeople in Nakuru who do not support his political position. She claimed that some entrepreneurs face harassment and name-calling because of their decision not to align themselves with the former Deputy President's political activities.

According to Kihika, businesspeople should be free to make their own political and financial decisions without being pressured to support particular individuals or political movements. She described the alleged conduct as an attempt to extend political influence beyond acceptable boundaries.

These accusations form part of the wider disagreement between the two leaders. However, they remain claims made by the governor and should be considered separately from any independently established findings.

Kihika further maintained that she was not intimidated by Gachagua's political activities or his calls for a change of leadership in Nakuru. She argued that her administration's development record should be the basis upon which residents assess her leadership.

The governor's remarks also reflect the growing importance of Nakuru in the political calculations of leaders preparing for the 2027 General Election. As one of the country's key counties, Nakuru attracts considerable attention from politicians seeking to build alliances and strengthen their support across different regions.

Gachagua has previously made his intentions concerning Nakuru's leadership clear. During a political gathering in the county in August 2026, he criticised Kihika's administration and accused her of failing to prioritise the interests of local residents. He also called on voters to support a different candidate in the next General Election.

The former Deputy President made allegations concerning the management of county business opportunities, claiming that local traders had been sidelined. He also accused Kihika and her husband, businessman Sam Mburu, of benefiting from county business arrangements. These allegations were made by Gachagua and have not been independently established in the reports surrounding the political exchange. <Cite refs={["turn537811search7","turn537811search0"]}/>

Gachagua further questioned Kihika's political relationship with President William Ruto, accusing her of abandoning the political interests of those who supported her election. He argued that Nakuru required different leadership and urged residents to consider alternative political choices in 2027.

The governor, however, has consistently rejected criticism from the former Deputy President, defending her working relationship with the national government and maintaining that her administration should be judged on its performance.

The disagreement is unfolding at a time when political parties and individual leaders are beginning to reorganise their support bases ahead of the next election. The emergence of DCP has introduced another political player into the contest, with Gachagua seeking to establish the party's presence in several parts of the country.

Nakuru is particularly significant because of its diverse population and strategic position in the Rift Valley. Political support in the county cannot be understood through a single community or regional identity, as residents come from different ethnic and social backgrounds and have varied political interests.

The county has a sizeable Kikuyu population alongside Kalenjin communities and other groups, including Luo, Luhya, Kisii, Kamba and Maasai residents. This diversity makes political mobilisation a complex exercise, requiring leaders to engage different communities and address issues affecting residents across the county.

The debate over whether Nakuru should be associated with the Mount Kenya political bloc has therefore raised questions about the relationship between geographical identity, community representation and political alliances.

While some political leaders seek to organise support around regional and community interests, Kihika has insisted that Nakuru should retain its independent political identity. Her position is that the county's residents should not automatically be included in political arrangements simply because a particular community has a significant population within its borders.

Her reference to Menengai was intended to reinforce the argument that Nakuru belongs to the Rift Valley and has its own geographical and political identity. It also highlighted her disagreement with efforts to expand the definition of the Mount Kenya political bloc to include communities and areas beyond its traditional boundaries.

For Gachagua, building wider regional alliances remains part of his political strategy as he seeks to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 elections. His efforts to engage communities outside the traditional Mount Kenya region have featured in his recent political activities.

The exchange between the two leaders also raises broader questions about the role of national politicians in county affairs. Although national leaders are free to campaign and engage voters across the country, the final decision on county leadership rests with registered voters through the constitutional electoral process.

Under Kenya's devolved system of government, county residents elect their governors, members of county assemblies and other representatives to serve their interests. These leaders are expected to be accountable to the electorate, regardless of the political influence exercised by national figures.

For Kihika, the central message is that Nakuru residents should have the final say on their leadership and political alliances. She has maintained that her administration's record and engagement with the electorate will matter more than pressure from political figures seeking to influence the county's direction.

As the 2027 General Election approaches, the political contest in Nakuru is expected to attract further attention, with different leaders seeking to build support and establish their positions. The disagreements between Kihika and Gachagua are likely to remain part of the wider political debate as parties and aspirants prepare for the next electoral cycle.

The future political direction of Nakuru will be determined by the choices made by its residents at the ballot. While political leaders can mobilise support, negotiate alliances and present competing visions, voters will have the responsibility of deciding who represents them and which policies they want prioritised.

Kihika's latest remarks have once again placed Nakuru's political identity at the centre of the debate, reinforcing her position that the county should not be treated as an extension of another region's political interests. Her message to Gachagua and other national leaders is that the people of Nakuru should be allowed to make their own political decisions.