Charity Ngilu has hit back after she and Martha Karua were apparently referred to as “vienyeji,” a Kiswahili term loosely translating to “locals” or “unsophisticated,” in a jab widely seen as demeaning toward the two veteran female politicians.
Reacting on social media, Ngilu posed a rhetorical question asking “Ati vienyeji?” before adding that she has not even felt bad about the remark.
She then tagged Karua directly, asking her if she had seen the comment, appearing to rally her longtime political ally to respond jointly to what many read as an attempt to belittle their political standing.
Ngilu’s tone suggested defiance rather than distress, brushing off the label as inconsequential rather than something that had wounded her.
Her decision to publicly tag Karua indicated she wanted the two of them to address the matter together, reflecting their long history as allies in Kenyan opposition politics dating back decades.
Neither the original source of the “vienyeji” remark nor Karua’s response had been made public at the time of publication.
Ngilu’s post nonetheless quickly drew attention online, with many social media users weighing in on what they viewed as an unnecessary swipe at two women who have held senior positions in Kenyan politics and government for years.
The exchange adds to a growing pattern of pointed social media exchanges among Kenyan political figures, many of whom have increasingly used platforms like X to respond to perceived slights in real time.
Both Ngilu and Karua remain active voices in opposition circles, and the incident is likely to keep circulating as commentary continues around how female politicians are addressed in the country’s often combative political discourse.