PS Mary Muthoni dismisses claims she was crying in viral TikTok video
By Paulette Mboga, March 10, 2026Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has responded to a viral TikTok video that led many to believe she was crying in a clip she posted on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The PS addressed the claims in a TV interview on Monday, March 9, 2026, and clarified that she was not crying in the video. Responding to the speculation, Muthoni said the moment captured in the video was simply a time of reflection. She explained that people reflect and meditate in different ways, especially when dealing with the pressures that come with public service.
“Surely mimi nakaa mama wa kulia? Away from jokes now. We all meditate differently. And we all have our different reflections,” she said.
Muthoni explained that her role in public health often leaves her with many things to think about every day. She said the responsibility of looking after the well-being of others means she constantly reflects on the challenges facing communities.
“And I can tell you for a fact, having worked in public health, I have too many reflections to do. Every day, by the way, I worry about somebody else,” she said.
Reflection on floods and disease outbreaks
The PS pointed to recent flooding incidents as one of the issues that has been on her mind. She said seeing the impact of the floods on people was deeply troubling.
“The other day I saw people being swept by the floods,” she said.
Muthoni added that the situation becomes more difficult when she considers the work that has been done and the challenges that remain. She said disease outbreaks are also a major concern in her line of work.
“You know, and having looked at how much we have done, and then I am seeing outbreaks of malaria, diseases…these are things that keep me awake at night,” she said.
She stressed that the video should not be interpreted as her crying. According to the PS, people simply express their reflections differently.
“I wasn’t crying. I want to say we reflect differently. I wasn’t crying,” she said.
Muthoni also explained that Saturday was an especially difficult day because many people were struggling after the floods destroyed their businesses.
“Saturday was a sad day. It is when people did not have anything to eat, probably because their kiosks had been swept away,” she said.