Karen Nyamu Clarifies Viral Phone Moment at Raila Odinga’s Burial

Nominated senator Karen Nyamu has responded to viral photos showing her seemingly distracted on her phone during the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday, October 19. The event, held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, brought together national leaders, family members, and supporters who gathered to celebrate Raila’s life and legacy.

What Was Karen Nyamu Doing During Raila’s Burial?

During the emotional service, Narok Senator Ledama Olekina acknowledged fellow lawmakers in attendance, jokingly pretending to forget Nyamu’s name. Her surprised facial expression quickly caught attention, but what followed stirred even more online buzz. Photos later surfaced showing Nyamu looking deeply focused on her phone as leaders delivered passionate tributes.

One image in particular fueled speculation that she was editing pictures of herself on Snapchat during the speeches. The moment went viral within hours, drawing mixed reactions from Kenyans online. Some accused her of being inattentive, while others defended her right to use her phone.

What Did Karen Nyamu Say About the Viral Photo?

After hours of social media debate, Nyamu addressed the situation directly. She posted a video showing herself watching clips of her children from inside her car and explained that it was the same video she had been viewing during the ceremony.

“So apparently that’s the video. I was just watching my babies’ videos on Snapchat during the speeches, at zero volume. Mama things,” she wrote.

In a follow-up clip, she added,

“I would be lying if I said that I was fully present at the ceremony. At one point I caught myself wandering, ati tunafanya nini hapa?”

Her honesty sparked another wave of reactions online, with many appreciating her transparency.

Willys Cayro commented, “Kwani what’s wrong with that? That’s for memories. Let’s stop being petty.” Dama Ecarg’Iha added, “Simu ni yake, she can do whatever she wants, we need to stop acting Holy.” Others, like Peters Amos, defended her by saying, “Whoever took the picture was also not listening, which is no different to what she was doing.”

By Risper Akinyi