Kihika Demands Apology from Senator Karanja Over Hotel Claims

 

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has demanded a public apology from Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja following remarks she claims were defamatory and damaging to her reputation.

The demand comes after Senator Karanja allegedly made statements during a church service on December 21, 2025, accusing the governor of misusing public funds to construct a family-owned hotel worth billions of shillings. 

According to Governor Kihika, the claims are false, malicious, and meant to mislead the public.

In a demand letter written by her lawyer, Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi, Kihika accuses the senator of making statements that unfairly portrayed her as corrupt. 

The letter states that the remarks were intended to harm her reputation and lower her standing among the people of Nakuru County and Kenyans at large.

Kihika strongly denied allegations that she was building a hotel on Kenya Railways land near Nakuru Memorial Hospital and the State House. 

She further argued that linking her to such claims was dangerous, as it raised unnecessary national security concerns due to the sensitive location mentioned.

The governor insists that Senator Karanja’s remarks were not only untrue but were also made with the intention of exposing her to public ridicule, hatred, and contempt. 

According to the demand letter, the accusations were based on what Kihika describes as misinformation, imagination, and deliberate falsehoods.

Senator Karanja had earlier threatened to table a motion against the governor when the Senate resumes sittings in February 2026. 

However, Kihika maintains that the senator’s statements were politically motivated and designed to tarnish her image rather than address genuine public concerns.

Through her lawyer, the governor has now demanded that Senator Karanja immediately and unconditionally retract the statements. 

She also wants the senator to publicly admit that the remarks were made out of malice and issue an apology to Kenyans.

Kihika warned that failure to comply with the demand could result in legal action being taken against the senator. 

She emphasized that public leaders must act responsibly and avoid making unverified claims that could damage reputations and cause unnecessary tension.