When a crowd heckled Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua in the presence of President Kenyatta, many people were quick to point an acussing finger at the hawkers. Whether that's true or not the truth is that hawkers in Nakuru town have become a thorn in Mbugua's flesh.
Hawkers and small traders were among the people who overwhelmingly voted for Mbugua in the 2013 elections. But their relationship went sour after Mbugua initiated the evictions of hawkers from the CBD with the aim of reclaiming the lost glory of Nakuru as the cleanest town in the region.
Political analyst Abdul Noor says that the biggest headache facing Mbugua is how to deal with the hawkers and restore their trust in him.
"Mbugua fears that these hawkers might spoil the party for him in 2017 considering that they have good numbers and he is trying all he can to redeem the broken bond that existed between hawkers and him,"said Noor.
Noor added that Mbugua will need to deal with the hawkers issue with utmost care if he seriously wants to rule Nakuru for a second term.
"Hawkers felt betrayed when Mbugua evicted them from the CBD and they now see him as their enemy and the governor must be careful how he deals with them before its too late," Noor said.