A necessity! Rish Kamunge urges Kenyans to prioritise buying cars over building houses

TikToker Maria Wangari, popularly known as Rish Kamunge, has urged Kenyans to prioritise buying cars over building houses, describing vehicle ownership as a true necessity.

Speaking in a TikTok video on Sunday, November 23, 2025, Kamunge explained that even with as little as Ksh70,000, one could acquire a car through flexible payment plans, making ownership attainable for a wide range of people.

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“I have a question: why don’t you have a car? Sweetie, why? Nowadays, we have stopped with the stories of ‘I want to build a house first.’ These cars are a necessity,” she said.

She criticised the mindset of delaying car purchases to focus solely on building homes, arguing that in today’s world, having a car is a practical necessity that enables mobility, independence, and access to opportunities.

“It is a true necessity. There is a place you can go, even with 70,000 shillings, you agree on a payment plan, and you get a car,” she added.

Court battle

The advice comes just months after Kamunge was in the public eye for legal matters.

On March 28, 2025, she was released on a Ksh5 million personal bond without surety by Milimani Law Courts.

She had faced allegations of obtaining money under false pretences through her agency, Trustpin Verified Agent Limited.

Complainants claimed she promised overseas jobs for payments ranging from Ksh200,000 to Ksh300,000 but failed to deliver.

Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina ruled that the Investigative Officer had not presented sufficient grounds to detain her for seven days.

“I have not seen the existence of any compelling reasons warranting the detention of the respondent for seven days; the application is not merited and is hereby declined,” Chief Magistrate Onyina ruled.

Kamunge was required to remain available to assist with investigations, but her lawyers highlighted that she is a single mother and the primary caregiver for her school-going daughter, arguing that extended detention would have been unfair and detrimental to her child.

“The lady before you is a single mother; she has a school-going daughter whom she has full custody of, and she relies on her fully. For her to be held for seven days, it will not be in the best interest for the child,” lawyer Kubo told the court.

They also clarified that she had not been hiding but had been out of the country and willingly presented herself to authorities.

“We are willing to disclose her place of abode to the IO, her place of work, and also, as her advocates, we will present her at any place. IO Karanja will require her to assist in investigations of the matter,” Kamunge’s lawyers stated.