Susan Wakarura Kihika

Susan Wakarura Kihika is a Kenyan lawyer and politician who currently serves as the Governor of Nakuru County, having been elected in 2022 as the first woman to hold that position. Born in 1974, she is the daughter of veteran politician Dickson Kihika Kimani and pursued her education both in Kenya and the United States, earning a law degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Before returning to Kenya, she worked as a prosecutor and later founded her own law firm in the U.S. Her political career began as the Speaker of the Nakuru County Assembly from 2013 to 2017, followed by her tenure as Senator of Nakuru County from 2017 to 2022, where she also served as Majority Whip in the Senate and held leadership roles in international parliamentary organizations. Known for her bold leadership style, often referred to as the “Iron Lady” of Nakuru politics, she has championed women’s empowerment, education, and community development initiatives. As governor, she has prioritized infrastructure, water access, and economic empowerment programs such as the Wezesha Fund, aligning her administration with Kenya’s broader development agenda.