Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has narrated her political journey and how President William Ruto walked with her.
Speaking during a Council of Governors Women caucus launch on Thursday, Kihika narrated how Ruto enabled her to deliver on her mandate.
“One day Ruto told me that I should not be in Nairobi, He said: Go to the ground and live there!" she said.
Kihika said he was also asked to buy rubbers and stop wearing heels which were making it hard for her to campaign.
"Buy rubbers and wear them or I will buy them for you. Ruto making me buy rubbers, made me deliver," she said.
Kihika said the political journey is not easy and at times she cries when she has a lot to deal with.
“It is not easy, when we say the president has helped us it is true..many times you see me as a strong person but I cry a lot," she said.
She said when engulfed with many matters she knows where to go to.
"When we have issues, we go to Ruto and he helps us. You see me as a strong woman but I cry a lot."
“Do not be embarrassed to be a woman, be yourself and authentic. When you get the position, take care of others as well,” she said.
The governor said when she decided to venture into politics, people looked at her as a small girl.
“Many people looked at me and said I am a small girl… there was a time when I started politics and wanted to run for the MP position. My mother gave me her driver to help me around,” she said.
She said the driver was masculine and bigger than her which worked against her during the campaigns.
“The driver was big and I was small. And people were saying mweheshimiwa to my driver and it has always been like that,” she said as she laughed.
Kihika said the president made sure to help her until she got to the finish line.
"So every month they would do polling in their areas and the numbers would be projected to see how one was performing," she said.
In a quick rejoinder, President William Ruto sought Kihika's forgiveness for being hard on her.
He opened up on how he toughened up Kihika ahead of the August 2022 elections.
"I know at times when I speak to leaders who are in my corner I go beyond mentorship and have to tell them some really hard facts," he said.
"I remember at one time I called Susan and told her I’m listening to you and you are not persuasive."
