The simmering cold war between Nakuru's two most powerful women has exploded into a legal battle. Governor Susan Kihika has issued a demand letter to Senator Tabitha Karanja (Keroche), threatening to sue for defamation over remarks made regarding the county's KES 500 million War Memorial Hospital saga.

The dispute centers on Karanja’s public accusations that the Governor "engineered" the hospital's closure to grab land—a claim Kihika vehemently denies. "These are malicious falsehoods designed to injure my reputation," Kihika stated through her lawyers. She is demanding an unconditional apology within 48 hours or face court action.

The Battle for Nakuru

This legal skirmish is a proxy war for the 2027 gubernatorial race. Senator Karanja, the "Iron Lady" of industry, has been increasingly critical of the county administration, signaling her intent to unseat Kihika. "I will not be silenced by legal threats," Karanja told supporters in Naivasha. "The people of Nakuru deserve the truth."

• The Hospital Crisis: The closure of the War Memorial Hospital has left hundreds of patients stranded and staff unpaid. It has become a political football, with both leaders using the crisis to score points while the facility rots.
• UDA Fractures: Both leaders were elected on UDA tickets, but their rivalry threatens to split the party's base in the Rift Valley city. The national UDA leadership has reportedly summoned both women for a crisis meeting, fearing the infighting could cost them the county.

From Boardroom to Courtroom

Tabitha Karanja is no stranger to high-stakes litigation, having battled the KRA for years. But a defamation suit against a sitting Governor is a different beast. As the legal papers fly, Nakuru residents are bracing for a bruising political showdown.