Chaos mar fundraiser as supporters of MPs Betty Maina, Mary Waithira clash

The chaos erupted when the area woman representative accused the Maragua legislator of running a smear campaign aimed at elbowing her out of the political scene in the region. Police had to intervene to restore calm, which saw the fundraiser—attended by three cabinet secretaries—halted for security reasons. Laura Otieno reports.

The simmering pot of political supremacy between Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina and Maragua legislator Mary Waithira, also known as Wamaua, spilled over at Bendera grounds in Kigumo on Monday afternoon. 

Supporters of the two legislators locked horns after the woman representative was booed while addressing the gathering, accusing Wamaua of dimming her political prospects.

Betty Maina, speaking amidst boos, expressed frustration: "Close your mouths, I know you have been paid a little money by this woman to cause disruptions here, but I want to say I am not afraid. You will not intimidate us.

 You are used to intimidating people like the Maragua MCA, OCS, and police, but don't bring that to me."

The two were attending a fundraising event for a women's basket-weaving group organized by nominated Senator Veronica Maina. 

The event, attended by Cabinet Secretaries Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives and MSMES), Aisha Jumwa (Gender), and Alice Wahome (Lands), saw Wahome ordering security officials to swiftly take action against those causing disruption.

Alice Wahome, the Lands CS, asserted, "I have two cabinet secretaries here, and I have the right to order you to maintain security. It does not matter who it is, please maintain security."

Aisha Jumwa, the CS for Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, expressed gratitude to Alice, saying, "I want to thank Alice, she is our senior, we appreciate and honor her because she showed us the way, and we held onto it and succeeded. If you hold on here, you will succeed. I want to assure you."

Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina and Maragua Member of Parliament Mary Waithira have been embroiled in several months of political conflict, each positioning themselves to take over as the reigning supreme female after Lands CS Alice Wahome.