“Pants Ya 50 Bob,” Kirinyaga Women Protest After Senator Gifts Them Oversized Pants

Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango, who is seeking the governor’s seat in the 2027 elections, faced criticism after residents took to the streets over campaign-branded pants allegedly handed to women as gifts.

During the protest, they questioned the decision to give women underwear instead of support they said could address their economic challenges.

Several protesters also complained that the pants did not fit some of the women who received them.

One woman criticized the move and said Murango should have addressed more important issues instead of giving women pants.

“Kazi yake ameshindwa ndio sasa ameanza kuletea wanawake suruali. Imagine suruali. Ingekuwa ni kitu ingine ingekua at least. Lakini suruali hapana, hiyo ni aibu ndogo ndogo,” she said.

Pants Branded “NGAAF Kamau Murango 2027”

According to the images, the pants carried “NGAAF Kamau Murango 2027” branding, directly linking the items to Murango’s political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

Questions about the value of the gifts soon followed, with residents arguing that women could purchase underwear themselves instead of receiving campaign-branded items.

A man challenged the value of the pants and said residents already knew how much such underwear cost.

“Nilikuwa na mheshimiwa sana lakini mambo yake imeisha hivyo unaletea wanawake wetu suruali na tunawanunulia. Na tunajua bei. Sasa suruali ni ya pesa ngapi? Hii suruali ni ya pesa ngapi? Sio ni ya 50?,” he said.

Meanwhile, male protesters questioned why they had not received similar items and called for men to receive underwear if politicians intended to distribute such gifts.

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Protesters Shift to Responsibilities of Elected Leaders

The protest then shifted to the responsibilities of elected leaders, with residents arguing that Murango should focus on his duties as senator, including oversight of the county government.

One protester linked the controversy to Murango’s senatorial mandate and questioned his involvement in programmes associated with the Woman Representative.

“Hii kitu leo imetuudhi sana. Kama analetea wanawake nguo za ndani, suruali, na kazi ya seneta ni oversight,” he said.

Beyond the underwear, protesters called for assistance that could help women establish businesses, support existing enterprises and improve their household incomes.

Another man argued that women’s groups needed financial support rather than campaign-branded clothing, saying such assistance would help families meet their everyday needs.

“Suruali haijasaidia mama. Mama anasaidiwa na pesa ya kikundi, mletee pesa afanyie double banking, afanye biashara kila siku anunue unga ya jioni,” he said.

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Murango Positions Himself for 2027 Race

The protesters’ comments came amid heightened political activity in Kirinyaga as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial contest.

Murango currently serves as Kirinyaga Senator after winning the seat in the 2022 General Election.

Recent political activity has placed him among the politicians positioning themselves to succeed Governor Anne Waiguru, who is serving her second and final term.

Earlier in July 2026, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua publicly endorsed Murango’s gubernatorial bid, further placing the senator at the centre of the county’s emerging 2027 political contest.

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A photo of Senator James Kamau Murango seeking a statement on the delayed construction of the Kemri Wamumu station medical facility in Kirinyaga county. PHOTO/ Citizen Digital