I expected it. Karen Nyamu responds after being shouted down at KICC

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has responded to criticism directed at her during media personality Natalie Githinji’s endometriosis awareness event held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Sunday.

Nyamu was denied an opportunity to address the audience after she took the microphone. A section of the crowd shouted “Wantam” and demanded that she leave the stage. She later left the stage and returned to her seat.

Speaking about the incident, Nyamu said she expected the reaction because the event was hosted by comedian Eric Omondi, whom she described as a known government critic.

Nyamu said she was also used to criticism from people on social media and argued that not everyone in the crowd was against her.

“When the crowd was chanting ‘Wantam’, not all were saying it; more than half were silent,” Nyamu said.

The Senator maintained that the incident would not stop her from carrying out her duties in Parliament. She said she remains committed to advocating for people living with endometriosis.

Nyamu said Kenya lacks reliable data on the number of people suffering from endometriosis, making it difficult for the government to plan and establish specialised treatment centres.

She further said that out of about 700 gynaecologists in Kenya, only five can perform surgery on women with endometriosis, highlighting the challenges faced by patients seeking treatment.