Senator Karen Nyamu has apologised following public outrage over comments she made about a schoolgirl visiting the Senate.
The remarks have attracted criticism from the Kenyan netizens, with many describing them as inappropriate and degrading.
The controversy stems from an incident on March 25 during a Senate session attended by a Grade 10 student from Braeburn Garden Estate International School under Parliament’s School Volunteer Service Scheme, a programme designed to introduce learners to the workings of government.
As senators acknowledged the student’s presence in the public gallery, Nyamu made remarks that quickly triggered discomfort inside the chamber and anger online.
Referring to the student’s visit while addressing fellow senators, the nominated senator joked that Parliament should clarify the “service” the learner had come to offer, while also alluding to the reaction of Nandi senator Samson Cherargei after noticing the student in the gallery.
“Madam, welcome to the Senate, and Mr. Speaker, probably you should have made it clear which service to the Senate she’s offering, because I saw Senator Cherargei getting very excited when he saw a lady, and yeah, it’s good to clarify it.
You might think that she’s going to do you n*des…you know, it’s good to specify which service she is going to offer the Senate, so welcome very much to the Senate.” The UDA nominated senator says.
Video clips of the exchange spread rapidly on social media, with many Kenyans accusing the senator of sexualising a minor during an official parliamentary session.
The backlash intensified in the days that followed, with activists, parents and child rights campaigners condemning the remarks as disrespectful and unbecoming for a public official.
Critics argued that the comments undermined the dignity of a student who had attended Parliament for an educational experience.
A reluctant apology
On May 7, the matter returned to the Senate floor, where Acting Speaker Veronica Maina directed Nyamu to issue what she termed an “unreserved apology” to the student, her family and the country.
Karen Nyamu is not fit to be in senate, imagine embarrassing a young grade 10 girl by asking her which service she want to offer because Senator Cherangai anamchekesha sana.
Listen: pic.twitter.com/jpPtmeZLEj— Naomi Waithira (@Naomikibandi) May 7, 2026
Delivering the statement before senators, Nyamu acknowledged that her remarks had been inappropriate and failed to meet the standards expected of a state officer.
“I hereby tender my unreserved apology,” she told the House.
However, the apology itself appeared uneasy. She said it contained admissions she did not entirely agree with.
“Madam Speaker, this apology has been written for me to read, and parts of it constitute an admission to what I have been accused of, which cannot be further from the truth.
I will go ahead and read my apology… I hereby tender my unreserved apology to the Senate, the student under the School Volunteer Service Scheme, the family of the student, and the public for the remarks I made on Wednesday, 25th March.”
While welcoming the student, I acknowledge that the utterances were inappropriate and fell short of the dignity, decorum, and respect expected of a state officer, particularly towards a young female learner who was in the speaker’s gallery.”
Despite the apology, debate over the incident continued online.
READ ALSO: Karen Nyamu allegedly clobbered by Samidoh over cheating claims – VIDEO
Later the same day, Nyamu defended herself in a Facebook post, accusing some critics of hypocrisy for sharing images of the student while condemning her remarks.
She described herself as “imperfect” and suggested her comments had been misunderstood.
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