Karen Nyamu recalls losing mum to cancer at 17

UDA-nominated senator Karen Nyamu‘s mum sadly passed away while she was still a teenager after battling with cancer for a while.

Karen has spoken out about the grieving process a few times since, and in a recent appearance on Ala C’s Youtube show dubbed ‘Reke Ciume Na Ene’, the politician fought back tears as she recalled memories of her late mother.

The secondborn in a family of four told the host about her mother’s determination to family and church before tragedy hit.

She revealed that she only learnt about her mum’s illness when it deteriorated.

“My mum was so calm and a church woman. She passed away from cancer while I was 17 years old. Our dad kept it a secret and only disclosed her ailment when it deteriorated. Then I became so close to her until she rested and that really breaks my heart. I’m however yet to heal and I’m still in denial about her death,” Karen Nyamu noted as she fought back tears.

Karen Nyamu’s political career

Nyamu’s further detailed her decision to join politics after leaving her job as a lawyer. She says the decision was informed by her love for politics.

“Politics is exciting to me and there is no going back.”

Karen Nyamu first vied for the Nairobi Women Representative seat in 2017 but she lost to Racheal Shebesh.

According to her, lack of finances and knowledge in politics cost her the seat.

“Pesa ndizo ziliniangusha. If I had money, I would have won that seat,” she said.

Later she was appointed as a director of Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company before she resigned to vie for the Nairobi senatorial seat.

Nyamu stepped down for UDA’s Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, who lost to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

However, she was advised to drop out of the race and was later nominated by UDA in the senate after President William Ruto’s win and was also elected the Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Security, Defense, and Foreign Relations.

“Ruto ni mtu muungwana sana. Aliniahidi an akatimiza,” Karen Nyamu added.