A political storm surrounding Senator Karen Nyamu has intensified after Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia publicly defended her over controversial remarks directed at a Grade 10 student in the Senate.
The incident began during a Senate session when Nyamu made comments that were widely interpreted as inappropriate and degrading toward a student visiting Parliament under a school programme.
The remarks triggered widespread criticism from leaders, legal experts and members of the public, raising concerns about conduct and the protection of minors in public institutions.
In a social media post, Kururia dismissed the backlash and urged critics to “leave Karen alone.”
He argued that Nyamu’s remarks were misunderstood, saying she was merely seeking clarification on the type of “service” the student was expected to offer in the Senate.
“The Speaker erred by stating that the learner had come to ‘serve’ instead of clarifying that it was for leadership orientation,” Kururia said.
He also questioned the school’s decision to take a learner to a political institution, asking, “Why didn’t the school take her to Church?”
Kururia’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some Kenyans criticising his tone, particularly after he told those offended by Nyamu’s comments to “proceed to hell.”
Even before his intervention, several leaders had strongly condemned Nyamu’s conduct.
Martha Karua described the incident as “reprehensible and unacceptable,” stating that the student had gone to Parliament “to witness democracy in action” but was instead “humiliated by a leader entrusted to protect the dignity of citizens, especially the young ones.”
Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo also criticised the remarks, saying the student “was met with inappropriate and degrading remarks from Senator Karen Nyamu.”
She added that the Senate “must be a safe space that affirms the dignity and future of our children,” describing the incident as harassment and psychological abuse.
Within the Senate, the remarks were also formally addressed. Speaker Amason Kingi termed the comments inappropriate, while presiding officer Veronica Maina directed Nyamu to issue an unreserved apology to the student, her family, the Senate and the public.
Nyamu later apologised, but the matter remains a subject of national debate, with questions continuing to be raised about leadership responsibility, public conduct and the protection of young people in official spaces.