Governer Kihika Wamunyoro Slip Turns Nakuru Madaraka Speech Into Instant Classic
Nakuru, Kenya – June 1, 2025 – What began as a routine address quickly became the highlight of Kenya’s 61st Madaraka Day celebrations in Nakuru, thanks to a memorable slip of the tongue by Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika. During her official speech on Sunday, the governor inadvertently replaced the name “Wanyororo” with “Wamunyoro,” triggering laughter, surprise, and a wave of political speculation.
The mix-up occurred while Kihika was listing infrastructure and development projects underway in Nakuru County. “Construction of two lecture rooms at Wamunyoro—sorry, Wanyororo Vocational Training Centre, including fencing,” she stated, before quickly correcting herself. But by then, the crowd had already erupted in laughter, catching on to the politically charged nature of the error.
The Name That Raised Eyebrows
“Wamunyoro” is not just any location. It’s the rural home of impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Nyeri County. Since his dramatic fallout with President William Ruto earlier this year, Gachagua has turned his Wamunyoro home into a base of operations—hosting delegations, issuing statements, and taking pointed jabs at the current administration.
In Kenya’s high-stakes political atmosphere, a single word can ignite speculation. That’s exactly what happened in Nakuru. The moment Kihika uttered “Wamunyoro,” murmurs and chuckles swept through the audience, and social media clips of the incident began circulating within minutes.
Swift Damage Control
Realizing the weight of her words, Kihika wasted no time clearing the air. With a smile and a touch of humor, she declared, “No, I am on Ruto’s side, every day. And, by the way, my speechwriter is fired!” Her quip was met with loud cheers, indicating both relief and amusement among attendees.
The governor’s quick recovery and reaffirmation of loyalty to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) were seen as a necessary move. With tensions simmering in the ruling coalition and Gachagua’s political moves under close watch, even unintended references can be interpreted as signals.
A Pattern of Public Slips
Interestingly, Kihika’s blunder isn’t the only recent high-profile verbal slip by an ally of President Ruto. Just weeks earlier, Ruto’s longtime aide Farouk Kibet shocked worshippers during a church service in Nandi County when he mistakenly said, “We worship the devil in the church,” before quickly correcting himself to say that Christians should resist evil.
That incident, too, went viral, spawning memes, media coverage, and public debates. Both cases reflect how Kenya’s politically and socially sensitive environment makes even minor speech errors fuel for larger narratives.
Reactions and Speculation
Political analysts say Kihika’s error was most likely innocent but acknowledge the symbolic weight of Wamunyoro. “You don’t accidentally say Wamunyoro unless the name is top-of-mind,” commented political commentator Mercy Mwakio. “It shows just how much Gachagua and his political maneuvers are dominating the conversation—even when uninvited.”
Others took a lighter approach, praising Kihika’s ability to laugh at herself and keep the crowd engaged. “She turned a potentially damaging moment into a relatable one. That’s political skill,” said one attendee.
There’s no indication that the gaffe will have lasting consequences for Kihika, who remains a prominent figure in the UDA and a key regional governor. But it does highlight the fine line leaders must walk in Kenya’s volatile political landscape.
As for the speechwriter? While the “firing” remark was likely tongue-in-cheek, it served its purpose—defusing tension and redirecting attention with humor.
If anything, the incident has added a memorable footnote to this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations. For many Kenyans, the real takeaway wasn’t a policy announcement or political declaration—it was a moment of unfiltered humanity, caught on mic, reminding everyone that even governors can slip, laugh, and move on.
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Governer Kihika Wamunyoro Slip Turns Nakuru Madaraka Speech Into Instant Classic