Karen Nyamu Clashes with TikToker Githaiga wa Chai over State House Empowerment Drive
- Karen Nyamu defended President William Ruto’s latest empowerment drive after TikToker Githaiga wa Chai poked holes into the initiative
- Videos of discarded sodas and allegations of paid attendees ignited controversy, sparking heated debates online
- The intense exchange between Nyamu and Githaiga further fueled the conversation, especially following her sharp response to the TikToker
As ever, outspoken lawmaker Karen Nyamu is once again making waves on social media.
Source: Facebook
This time, Nyamu has found herself once again defending President William Ruto’s government, particularly its controversial empowerment initiatives.
What happened at the State House empowerment drive?
On Saturday, August 9, President Ruto hosted another round of his empowerment drives, this time targeting Nairobi County.
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The event saw the donation of hundreds of items ranging from boda bodas to tanks, pool tables, lawn mowers, posho mills, and much more, all aimed at creating business opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs.
Hundreds of youth and small business owners turned up to receive these items.
Staunch supporters of the president, including Karen Nyamu, MP Jalang’o, Governor Johnson Sakaja, and Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, were also in attendance.
For the most part, the event was peaceful and cheerful, with local artistes like Dyna Cods, Bahati, and Toxic Lyrikali entertaining the crowd.
However, controversy soon erupted on social media.
Videos surfaced alleging that the government had paid attendees to show up, while others showed footage of hundreds of discarded sodas that had been handed out at the event.
Why did Githaiga wa Chai and Karen Nyamu clash?
Among the loudest voices was popular TikToker Githaiga wa Chai, who has recently aligned himself with the opposition party DCP led by impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
After Nyamu posted a series of photos from the event on her Facebook page, Githaiga took to the comments section to criticise both the empowerment drive and the politicians involved.
In his words:
"Mhesh, have you seen how that crowd got upset just because of KSh 2,000? They left singing wantam. You gave them something for the weekend but just wait until 2027 when they’ll ask where you found hundreds of times your salaries to give out handouts. We’re not in 1990 anymore, when youth accepted KANU Jirongo’s KSh 500. The only way to get it right is by doing the right things. Today’s youth are more concerned about the bigger picture in Kenya, the education system, employment levels, cost of living, and so on, not Statehouse visits like the millennials did. Handouts won’t work. What’s needed are concrete interventions that address the real issues."
As expected, Nyamu was quick to respond, defending the drive and hitting back at Githaiga’s remarks:
"Githaiga Wa Chaai Chezeni game yenu ya story za jaba sisi tucheze yetu ya empowerment. The youth who got these business items plus seed capital today and their families and neighbours are reading your paragraph and wondering kama uko ‘inchi igine’," she said, dismissing his criticisms.
The exchange between Nyamu and Githaiga sparked heated debates across social media platforms, with many Kenyans sharing their thoughts.
See the exchange in the comment section of the post below:
Social media reactions
Here are some comments from social media users:
Judy Nyambura:
"Millennials we are still very young anyway wantam."
Felista Wanjiru:
"Kama ingekuwa empowerment, wangeenda na hizi vitu home au aje? They came and left with KSh 2,000, which would be finished within two days. And then what? Tungepewa hizo staffs, tungeenda, we employ ourselves. Ningepewa washing machine, ningefungua laundry shop yangu."
Favour Kioko:
"Githaiga Wa Chaai mkipewa mnataka kujua zimetoka wapi. Zikikosa mnalalamika. What's wrong with these half terms."
Wa OJ:
"Githaiga Wa Chaai pea hawa facts kabisa mpaka wajielewe. Siku za kudanganywa ziliisha."
Mukami Pendo:
"Githaiga Wa Chaai underline hapo Kwa education Na uongeze health."
Source: Facebook
Did Toxic Lyrikali endorse William Ruto?
In a related story, rapper Toxic Lyrikali faced criticism after his performance during the empowerment drive.
A video of his performance later appeared on social media, showing MP Kiarie guiding Toxic to a spot in front of President Ruto.
Kiarie then asked Toxic to say that Ruto would serve two terms.
Despite this, Toxic carried on with his performance and stepped off the stage.
Kiarie called him back and asked him to say 'tutam,' implying that Ruto’s government would secure a second term during the 2027 polls.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
