Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika is under pressure and may face impeachment after a lawsuit claimed she held a U.S. government job while still a Kenyan citizen. A Nakuru voter, Peter Kuria Mwaniki, filed the case in Kenya’s High Court, saying Kihika worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County, Texas. This job is only open to U.S. citizens because of its sensitive nature.
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Official records from Dallas confirm Kihika held that position. In the U.S., such a role requires full American citizenship. This raises questions about her citizenship status and whether she was eligible to run for office in Kenya.
Kenya’s Constitution, under Article 78(2), says anyone with dual citizenship must give up their foreign citizenship before holding a state office. There is no public record showing Kihika renounced her U.S. citizenship. Kuria said he wrote to her asking for proof but got no reply, which increased doubts.
The lawsuit also names the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), claiming they failed to check Kihika’s eligibility properly before the 2022 elections. The petitioner wants the court to remove Kihika from office and have Deputy Governor David Kones take over.
Calls for her impeachment are growing stronger because the case is based on official records and the Constitution. Legal experts say if the court finds she was still a U.S. citizen when elected and didn’t renounce it, she could also face criminal charges for lying and giving false information.
Kihika’s silence and her recent absence during a health crisis in Nakuru have made things worse. Over 2,000 residents have signed a petition asking the County Assembly to investigate her. Some Members of County Assembly are now talking about starting an impeachment process.
As more evidence comes to light and public anger grows, Kihika’s political future is in doubt. The court will soon set a hearing date, and the outcome could set a major example for how Kenya handles leaders with foreign citizenship.
