NAIROBI, Kenya- Pressure is mounting on nominated Senator Karen Nyamu following growing public outrage over remarks she allegedly directed at a young female student during a Senate session on March 25, 2026.
The incident, which occurred when the student visited Parliament under the School Voluntary Service Scheme, has sparked sharp criticism from leaders, lawyers and women’s rights defenders, with many accusing the senator of humiliating a child in a public institution expected to uphold dignity and respect.
The People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua was among the first senior leaders to condemn the incident, describing it as “reprehensible and unacceptable.”
“She came to Parliament to witness democracy in action and perhaps to imagine herself in leadership one day. Instead, she was humiliated by a leader entrusted to protect the dignity of citizens, especially the young ones,” Karua said.
Karua, a former Justice Minister and longtime women’s rights advocate, said the incident betrayed the ideals women leaders have fought for over the years.
“As a mother, a former parliamentarian, and a woman who has spent decades fighting for the dignity and inclusion of women and girls in public life, I know this is not the leadership we envisioned or struggled for,” she added.
Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo also weighed in, accusing the Senate of failing to adequately protect children’s rights and dignity.
“What happened in the Senate Chamber on 25th March 2026 was not just an embarrassment but a gross violation of the dignity of a child,” Odhiambo said.
She argued that the Senate must remain a safe space that affirms the dignity and future of children visiting Parliament for educational purposes.
Citing constitutional provisions, Odhiambo noted that Article 53(1)(d) guarantees every child protection from abuse and inhuman treatment, while Article 53(2) makes the best interests of the child paramount in every matter.
She also referenced Section 22(1) of the Children Act, 2022, which prohibits psychological abuse against children, including acts that cause embarrassment or humiliation.
“I call upon the Senate to go beyond accepting the theatrical apology and take concrete accountability measures. Senator Karen Nyamu still sought to justify her conduct even while purporting to apologise,” she stated.
“An apology that is read and accepted in minutes is not justice. If we are serious about protecting the girl child, then our institutions must reflect that seriousness.”
The controversy has continued to dominate public debate, with many Kenyans on social media demanding disciplinary action against Nyamu and calling for higher standards of conduct from public officials, especially within Parliament.
The incident has also reignited conversations around leadership ethics, child protection and the treatment of young people within Kenya’s political institutions.
