Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango faced fierce public backlash after free women’s underwear bearing his name and 2027 gubernatorial campaign branding was distributed in Kutus town. Angry residents staged street protests, condemning the gesture as disrespectful, economically useless, and an overreach into the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
An early political groundwork drive turned into a public relations disaster when free undergarments printed with the senator’s identity appeared in Kirinyaga County. Footage circulating online captured crowds in Kutus town holding up the intimate apparel and voicing sharp criticism of the senator’s decision to use intimate apparel as a political gift, with chants of “one-term” audible in the background. While some local observers speculated that the merchandise could be a smear campaign funded by political rivals ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial race to sabotage his ambitions, the immediate fallout landed squarely on the senator.
Public Outrage and Protests Over Branded Intimates in Kutus Town
Uproar in Kirinyaga after women receive underwear branded with
The distribution of the garments quickly drove residents into the streets on Wednesday, September 23, with community members rejecting the gifts as degrading and beneath the dignity of a senator. Protesters questioned the financial value and practical worth of the items, suggesting they offered zero long-term benefit. Female recipients were among those who voiced dissatisfaction, with some noting that the items were oversized and did not fit properly.
He has failed in his job; that is why he is bringing women underwear. Just imagine underwear. I wish it could be something else, like shoes at least. No, those are small embarrassments he is doing. It is disappointing; I couldn’t even imagine. I used to respect him so much, but now he and I are done.A Kirinyaga resident
Other community members voiced similar frustration over the unusual campaign merchandise, with some noting that if it were something like shoes, they would have considered it. Male protesters also questioned why similar items had not been distributed to men, and others urged politicians to support residents through income-generating initiatives instead.
Constitutional Boundaries and the NGAAF Funding Controversy
Beyond the personal nature of the gifts, the controversy triggered a debate over institutional mandates and government funds when the items were distributed to women in the county. Protesters pointed out that the underwear was branded with the words NGAAF Kamau Murango 2027,
referring to the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
Residents emphasized that NGAAF projects are for the Woman Representative. Critics argued that the senator’s main responsibility is oversight and that he should stick to that instead of being involved in NGAAF projects, which are for the Woman Rep.
The Senator’s main responsibility is oversight. He should stick to that instead of being involved in NGAAF projects, which are for the Woman Rep. Aggravated locals, via TUKO
For her part, Kirinyaga County Woman Representative Njeri Maina praised the people of Kutus for rejecting the underwhelming and inappropriate gifts. She urged locals to share photos of individuals distributing the NGAAF merchandise. She insinuated that Senator Murango was not behind the controversial ‘gifts’, adding that those responsible were trying to soil his reputation among the locals.
Kirinyaga Residents Protest After Women Receive Free Underwear Branded
Please send hard evidence. A video of the people distributing, capturing their faces and handing the merchandise around, with NGAAF branding visible. A reward of Kshs50,000 is on me. Any politician who thinks our people are gullible has seen them at night. Njeri Maina, Woman Representative, via TUKO
Demands for Economic Empowerment Over Token Gifts
Protesters made it clear that voters expected substantive economic empowerment, such as funds to start or expand businesses, rather than branded personal items. Community members urged politicians seeking elective positions to focus on initiatives that would have a lasting impact on women and improve their lives.
If you want to vie for senator or women representative position, stop bringing underwear to women. Underwear cannot help women. If you want to help them, do something that when you come back next time, it would have uplifted them.A Kirinyaga resident