When the history of Nakuru county in terms of development will be written, Governor Susan Kihika’s name will not miss out owing to the bold step that the Governor took to ensure value for taxpayer’s money.
It has been normal in Kenya for projects to be started and never completed.
Some become white elephant projects while others are just stalled.
When another government comes into place, new projects are started, hence the money that was pumped into the stalled projects just go in vain at the expense of taxpayer.
However, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika is re-writing the story by ensuring that all major stalled projects from previous regimes are completed.
Kihika says this is the only way to ensure taxpayer’s money is not lost and that there is value for money.
Under her leadership, Kihika has sought support from President William Ruto to ensure three major projects that had stalled are completed.
The President gave a directive that saw Ministry of Defense and County Government of Nakuru partner to deliver on the same.
The projects include Olenguruone stadium that had stalled for more than 13 years.
Under the dynamic leadership of Governor Susan Kihika construction has fully begun, and the hopes of youth are being powerfully restored.
Once completed, the Stadium will go a long way in ensuring talent growth.
Another key project that has had issues of completion is the Afraha Stadium whose upgrade to international standards was started in the past regimes.
However the project stalled at some point with questions being raised on the World bank funded project.
Understanding the importance of the facility in terms of sports and talents growth, Governor Kihika has initiated the second phase construction under supervision of KDF after the ground breaking by CS Soipan Tuya.
The Phase 2 involves building the third and fourth pavilions to expand the seating capacity of the current 8,000-seater facility to 13,000, adding more public washrooms, parking areas, a canopy, fencing, and two access roads next to the stadium which will make Afraha one of the largest and most modern stadiums outside Nairobi.
Constructed through a partnership between the Kenya Defence Forces and the County Government of Nakuru, once completed, it will enhance sporting infrastructure in Nakuru, boost the local economy, promote youth empowerment, and strengthen Nakuru’s status as a leading sporting hub in the country.
Another key project that had stalled but Governor Kihika has ensured completion is the Trauma Centre at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.
The life-saving facility has stalled for 14 years.
The Trauma Centre, which was conceptualized and whose construction began in 2012 after the tragic Sachangwan fire incident of 2009, was meant to save lives along the Nakuru–Eldoret Highway.
However, it stalled in 2013, remaining a painful reminder of an unfulfilled promise.
“We are rebuilding trust, restoring hope, and upgrading healthcare in Nakuru,” stated Kihika during the handing over to KDF for completion.
Once completed under the supervision of the Kenya Defence Forces, the redesigned Trauma Centre will have a 57-bed capacity, expanded ICU with 22 beds, male and female trauma wards, a laboratory, and two theatres.
It will provide timely and specialized emergency healthcare not only to Nakuru residents but to the entire region.
During the event, CS Tuya termed Kihika a visionary leader who wants good for the people of Nakuru.
Political pundits argue that the completion of the projects will be a plus to Governor Susan Kihika’s 2027 political journey.