Not surprised: Karen Nyamu says she expected to be heckled after ‘Wantam’ chants at Natalie Githinji’s event
By William Muthama, September 27, 2026Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has said she was not surprised after sections of the crowd heckled her with “Wantam” chants while she addressed thousands of attendees on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Natalie Githinji’s Endometriosis Warriors event at KICC.
Nyamu said she had anticipated the reaction because the event was associated with activist Eric Omondi, whom she noted has been vocal in criticising the government.
“I was kind of expecting it because hii event ni ya Eric Omondi and I’ve seen Eric Omondi has been in the forefront kufight government,” Nyamu said.
She said she had a choice to either attend the event or stay away but opted to show up despite knowing she could face criticism.
“Na mimi nikose kuja chakosa ndio mbwa one term sio wami. Mimi nitakuja, mseme one term yenu, niseme ile nasema alafu niondoke na niendelee na kazi yangu about endometriosis wa bunge,” she said.
‘It is not something new’
Nyamu said the reaction at KICC was not something new to her, noting that she regularly encounters similar comments on her social media platforms.
“So sio kitu mpya mimi nachi nimesikia leo. Nimezoea kusikia karibu kwa Facebook kama mara kumi per day,” she said.
Asked how she deals with such criticism, Nyamu said she does not necessarily confront it but chooses to ignore it and remain focused on her work.
“I don’t think I’ve handled it. I think I’ve ignored it,” she said.
“I didn’t, sitafika mahali nimehandle. Nimeilenga tu yaani iendelee na mimi niendelee.”
A purpose
Nyamu said she is guided by her sense of purpose and does not expect everyone to support or embrace everything she does.
“Because I- niko na purpose, na purpose to work for God and it’s not something that um, has to be embraced by everyone,” she said.
She added that having a vision or believing one is doing good work does not mean everyone will necessarily offer their support.
“Si lazima ti because you are doing a good job or because you have a vision kila mtu tu atakusupport na kuhug, hapana. Ni the focus,” she said.
Nyamu said she would therefore continue concentrating on her work rather than the criticism directed at her.
“You just be focused in what you are doing and if you know it has the blessing of God- unaendelea,” she said.
She also appeared prepared for the chants to continue in future, saying the criticism was something she had already become accustomed to.
“Kwani hizo ni vitu na bado, hapa mbele ‘Wantam’ muntasema sana na bado. Ndio mumeanza,” she said.