Nakuru Senator Denies Being Hospitalised in London in Critical Condition: "Misinformation"
- Nakuru senator Tabitha Karanja was forced to reveal her state of health after reports emerged that she was hospitalised in London
- Governor Susan Kihika had revealed that the senator was taken ill in a critical condition and hence flew to the United Kingdom for medical purposes
- Karanja said her trip to London was for vacation, given that the Senate was on recess, and she intends to return to the county when sessions in the upper legislative house resume
Senator Tabitha Karanja of Nakuru has sought to allay the worries about her state of health after reports emerged that she was critically ill and hospitalised in Europe.
Source: Twitter
Is Tabitha Karanja in hospital?
Nakuru governor Susan Kihika had authoritatively asserted that Karanja had been taken ill and was admitted to a hospital in London, the United Kingdom.
The county boss even sent the senator a message of goodwill, wishing her a quick recovery despite their political differences.
Karanja would emerge later to set the record straight.
She first confirmed that she was in good health and that her absence from the public was due to the recess the Senate had embarked on.
Karanja said she flew to the United Kingdom for a vacation and not for medical purposes.
"As you are aware, the Senate is currently on a short recess, which began on April 18 and will end on May 5, 2025. I have taken this opportunity to step away from my busy schedule for a brief vacation here in London. I am in excellent health, full of energy, and fully prepared to resume my oversight duties next week. I thank God I am not sick, I am not in hospital, and I have not been hospitalised," she said.
How Tabitha Karanja answered critics
The lawmaker blasted the purveyors of the rumours about her apparent ill health, accusing them of leveraging misinformation to put her down.
She pointed her accusing fingers at her political detractors.
Karanja indirectly hit out at Kihika, whom she accused of using the country funds to undertake worthless causes like paying social media influencers to run a smear campaign against her.
The senator regretted that her news about her hospitalisation had unsettled her supporters, hence the need to clarify things.
"These are fake news being spread by paid bloggers and social media influencers—unfortunately, some of whom are being financed by officials within the county government using public resources. These funds should instead be channelled toward meaningful development for our people. I strongly urge these individuals to stop spreading misinformation. Such baseless and unfounded rumours have caused unnecessary concern and panic among the people of Nakuru county," Karanja said.
Source: UGC
The senator suggested that Kihika was using all the means to challenge her oversight roles as the senator for Nakuru.
Karanja vowed to go past the supposed blackmail by the county government to properly undertake her constitutional duties to the benefit of the Nakuru populace
"Please rest assured of my unwavering commitment to the constitutional responsibilities of oversight and accountability. No amount of intimidation will deter me from executing my roles in oversight, representation, and legislation. I also take this opportunity to strongly condemn those who wish others a terminal illness for political gain. Such acts are inhumane, deeply saddening, and have no place in a civilised society," the senator said.
The senator was among Kenyans and Nakuru constituents who faulted Kihika for being out of the country for a long time.
Is Tabitha Karanja eyeing Nakuru gubernatorial seat?
Although Senator Karanja has not officially declared interest in vying for the Nakuru gubernatorial seat in 2027, some political analysts have been suggesting she could be considering the move.
Karanja and Governor Kihika have been at loggerheads for the last two years, a situation that has fuelled speculation that the two could square out in the next general election.
"There is a possibility that the two ladies could face off in 2022. Susan Kihika has not done so well, and the people of Nakuru are yearning for change already. Senator Karanja might want to seize that opportunity to avail herself as an option in 2027," argued political analyst Weswa Biketi.
Why was Susan Kihika in the US?
The governor's prolonged absence had raised concerns among her constituents and other Kenyans.
She has been residing in the United States for many months.
During heightened speculation about her whereabouts in January, Kihika clarified that she had taken maternity leave, entrusting the county's leadership to her deputy, David Kones.
It later emerged that she had given birth to twins; she returned to Kenya on April 25. 2025.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
