Wamuzi News Ke
In a dramatic turn of events today, chaos erupted during a visit by Susan Kihika, the Governor of Nakuru County, to the flood‐ravaged Kihoto Estate in the town of Naivasha. The governor’s inspection of the area quickly spiralled into violence, with unidentified youths launching an attack, two vehicles torched, and police resorting to firing shots to regain control.
Incident on the Ground
Governor Kihika arrived at Kihoto Estate late Thursday evening to assess extensive flood damage reportedly caused by rising levels of Lake Naivasha. She was accompanied by senior county officials and began addressing a gathering of residents from the area and neighbouring wards.
During her address, the governor made several relief pledges—promising transportation for affected families, providing fare grants, deploying lorries and boats for evacuation, and setting up a committee comprising county officials, clergy and local authorities to oversee relief operations.
Moments after her speech ended, the situation changed dramatically. A group of youths surged toward the stage, allegedly intending to reach the governor, while others proceeded to attack vehicles parked nearby. Two vehicles—a private car and a trailer—were consumed by fire on the adjacent Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
Police attempted to intervene, but found themselves overwhelmed; armed officers fired shots into the air to disperse the crowd. Meanwhile, the governor’s convoy was pelted with stones and she was rushed away to safety under heavy security cover.
What Went Wrong?
The motives behind the abrupt violence remain unclear. It is not yet established whether the attack was orchestrated or spontaneous, related to the flood relief operations, political tensions or local grievances. The presence of “suspected goons,” as described in reports, suggests a planned element.
The timing—immediately after Kihika’s speech announcing relief measures—raises questions about whether frustration among residents, opportunistic violence or external agitators were involved.
Relief Measures and Fallout
Prior to the disruption, Governor Kihika had announced the evacuation of more than 2,000 residents whose homes were submerged and called on local businesses, landlords and schools to assist in providing shelter. She formed a dedicated committee to manage the crisis response, covering evacuation, transportation, housing and food distribution.
Now, the violence threatens to overshadow these initiatives. Resources may be diverted to managing security rather than purely aid delivery. With property now destroyed and tensions rising, the trust between affected communities and county officials may be strained.
