Tension engulfed Naivasha on Thursday evening after Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika’s visit to the flooded Kihoko Estate turned violent. The governor was forced to flee under tight security after chaos broke out shortly after she finished addressing residents affected by rising Lake Naivasha waters.
Witnesses said suspected goons invaded the event, pelting stones and targeting the governor’s convoy. In the ensuing confusion, two vehicles were torched on the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway as police struggled to contain the situation.
Governor Susan Kihika’s Visit to Flooded Kihoko Estate Ends in Chaos
Governor Kihika had visited Kihoko Estate in Naivasha Town to assess the extent of flood damage and to comfort residents whose homes were submerged. The area has been among the hardest hit by rising water levels in Lake Naivasha, which have displaced thousands over the past month.
Accompanied by senior county officials, the governor inspected the flooded zones before addressing a crowd of affected families. Her speech focused on the county’s ongoing response and future support to help displaced residents rebuild their lives.
During her address, Kihika announced that the county government would facilitate transport for displaced people returning to their homes once waters recede. She pledged to provide a small financial package to help cover fare costs for each resident.
Moments later, her words were drowned in chaos. Witnesses said a section of rowdy youths began shouting and shoving before pelting stones toward the stage where the governor stood. Her security team quickly surrounded her and hurried her to safety, while the situation degenerated into full-blown violence.
Vehicles Burned and Police Overwhelmed
The violence spilled onto the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, where two vehicles—a personal car and a trailer—were set ablaze. Thick smoke billowed into the evening sky as motorists and residents fled the area in panic.
Police officers stationed at the scene fired gunshots into the air in a desperate attempt to disperse the mob, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful. Several vehicles in the governor’s convoy were stoned before being escorted away under heavy guard.
By nightfall, officers had regained partial control of the area, but tension remained high. Business operators near the Kihoko junction shut down early, fearing retaliatory attacks from rival groups believed to have been behind the violence.
Local leaders condemned the incident, describing it as a planned attempt to embarrass the governor and disrupt humanitarian efforts in the flood-hit region.
Kihika’s Relief Plans Before the Attack
Just before the chaos erupted, Governor Kihika had outlined a comprehensive relief plan aimed at helping the flood victims of Kihoko Estate. She announced the deployment of additional trucks and tippers to assist in the evacuation of families still trapped in flooded homes. Boats were also being mobilized to rescue people stranded in submerged areas.
“So far, we have managed to evacuate over 2,000 residents,” Kihika said during her speech. “We are committed to ensuring every affected family finds safe shelter and access to food.”
The governor also revealed that the county had formed a multi-agency coordination committee consisting of county officials, NGAO officers, and clergy members. The committee will oversee evacuation, shelter allocation, and food distribution for the displaced.
“I have asked churches and schools to open their doors to accommodate affected families,” she said, adding that local companies and corporates had been urged to step in with aid. “We are also appealing to landlords not to hike rent for displaced tenants.”
Her address, which was initially well-received, turned tragic when the violent group attacked, forcing an abrupt end to the event.
Flooded Kihoko Estate Residents Appeal for Calm and Help
Residents of the Flooded Kihoko Estate later appealed for calm and unity, saying political divisions were worsening their suffering. Many expressed disappointment that a humanitarian visit meant to offer hope ended in chaos and destruction.
Mary Njeri, a mother of three who lost her home to floods, said the incident dashed the community’s trust in leaders. “We just wanted to hear how the county would help us. Instead, we ended up running for our lives,” she said.
Another resident, Peter Mwangi, urged police to investigate those responsible for the attack and ensure they are brought to justice. “Whoever organized that chaos should be arrested. We cannot continue living in fear,” he said.
By Friday morning, police remained deployed in the area to prevent further violence. Governor Kihika, through a brief statement on her social media page, condemned the attack and reaffirmed her commitment to helping the victims.
“Violence will not stop us from standing with our people. We will continue supporting every family affected by the floods,” she said.
The situation in Kihoko Estate remains tense, with security officers patrolling flooded zones to protect rescue teams and displaced families. Investigations are underway to identify those behind the chaos that turned a humanitarian mission into a night of terror.
