I expected it: Karen Nyamu responds after being heckled at KICC

Terry Karanja
By Terry Karanja September 28, 2026 01:42 (EAT)
Add as a Preferred Source on Google
I expected it: Karen Nyamu responds after being heckled at KICC

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu speaking during media personality Natalie Githinji’s endometriosis awareness event at the KICC, Nairobi on September 27, 2026.

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has defended criticism directed at her during media personality Natalie Githinji’s endometriosis awareness event at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. 

The nominated legislator was denied an audience on Sunday as she took the microphone to address the attendees, as most demanded she leave the podium.

An infuriated Nyamu later left the stage and grudgingly returned to her seat.

She said she is used to such critics, stating she frequently encounters clapbacks from her followers on social media.

"When the crowd was chanting ‘wantam’, not all were saying it; more than half were silent to mean they don’t support ‘wantam’," Nyamu said.

"You will not miss more than 10 people in my comment section on Facebook saying 'wantam'. It is not new to me."

Nyamu said she knew the event was hosted by comedian Eric Omondi, a known government critic and therefore anticipated a hostile crowd.

Nyamu said she will remain committed to fulfil her purpose and legislative work she does in parliament.

"Not everyone embraces your purpose because you are doing a good job or your vision," Nyamu said. 

"In Kenya we don’t have any endometriosis data, the Ministry of Health cannot specify a specific number of people suffering from endometriosis,".

She said the reason she is pushing the Endometriosis agenda in parliament is that lack of data makes it difficult to even build endometriosis centres or come up with a plan to contain it.  

She argued that out of seven hundred gynaecologists in Kenya, only five can operate on a woman with endometriosis, highlighting the plight of those suffering the condition.

This comes amid a widespread campaign to create awareness of endometriosis, a chronic medical condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic lining.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that 10% of women worldwide have endometriosis — about 190 million girls and women of reproductive age. 

The condition affects 5%–10% of women and teenage girls aged 15–49.

Join the Discussion

Share your perspective with the Citizen Digital community.

Moderation applies

Sign In to Publish

No comments yet

This discussion is waiting for your voice. Be the first to share your thoughts!