Susan Wakarura Kihika (b. 1974) is a distinguished Kenyan lawyer and politician, currently serving as the third Governor of Nakuru County—and the first woman ever elected to that position. Sworn into office in August 2022, she represents a new generation of female leadership in Kenya’s devolved governance structure.
Early Life & Education
Born in Nakuru County to the late Dixon Kihika Kimani, who served as an MP in three constituencies, Susan grew up in a diverse family setting (nation.africa). She began her education at Busara Forest View Academy in Nyahururu and then attended Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls’ High School in Nyeri (pulselive.co.ke).
In 1992, Susan moved to the United States, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of North Texas (1996–2000), followed by a Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University in 2006 (parliament.go.ke). While in Texas, she was admitted to the bar and served as an Assistant District Attorney before founding The Kihika Law Firm, specialising in immigration defence and criminal law (thekenyatimes.com).
⚖️ Political Career
Susan made her return to Kenya in 2012, diving into politics shortly thereafter:
- 2013–2017: Elected as the first female Speaker of the Nakuru County Assembly, and served as Vice‑Chair of the County Assemblies Forum (pulselive.co.ke).
- 2017–2022: Won the Nakuru senatorial seat as a Jubilee Party candidate—the county’s first female Senator. Served as Majority Whip in the Senate and held leadership roles within the IPU Forum of Women Parliamentarians (en.wikipedia.org).
- 2022–Present: Successfully ran on a UDA ticket and became Nakuru’s first female Governor, defeating incumbent Lee Kinyanjui. She’s embraced the mantle of “Woman of Firsts” in the county (en.wikipedia.org).
As governor, Susan has prioritized service delivery, transparency, and socio-economic development in Nakuru.
Governance & Impact
During her first year in office, Governor Kihika launched transformative initiatives across key sectors (famousnakuru.co.ke):
- Water & Agriculture: Improved access to clean water and distributed seeds (e.g. avocado, pyrethrum) to small-scale farmers, bolstering food security and incomes.
- Infrastructure: Through the “Imarisha Barabara” program, rural roads have been significantly upgraded to boost connectivity and trade, thereby impacting livelihoods.
- Healthcare & HR Reforms: Enhanced medical facilities and ensured consistent supply of medicines and equipment. Led a major human resources overhaul, including audits to remove ghost workers and ensure fair promotions, especially for healthcare staff (famousnakuru.co.ke, nation.africa).
- Fiscal Reforms: Overhauled county revenue collection, waived outstanding parking fines, and strengthened supply-chain and revenue systems.
Additionally, she has recently made strategic visits to oversee affordable housing projects, underscoring her commitment to home ownership for low-income households.
Personal Life & Advocacy
In November 2020, Susan married businessman Sam Mburu in a traditional ceremony in Nyahururu, attended by President William Ruto (en.wikipedia.org). Susan is a vocal advocate for women, children, and persons with disabilities. She supports gender empowerment, inclusive policies, and community welfare programs, reinforcing her background in justice and civil rights.
Vision & Legacy
Governor Kihika embodies progressive leadership rooted in professionalism, equity, and accountability. Her administration focuses on inclusive growth, transparent governance, and enhanced public services. The people of Nakuru recognise her as an iron-willed “Iron Lady”—forthright, results-driven, and purpose-oriented.
As she guides Nakuru County into a new era, her relentless pursuit of development through water access, infrastructure, quality healthcare, housing, and fiscal discipline positions her among Kenya’s most impactful sub-national leaders. Her continued advocacy for women’s representation strengthens Kenya’s journey toward gender-equal governance.