Nimrod Mbai Breaks Silence After Mother’s Death Is Dragged Into Political Storm

Grief has turned into public frustration for Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai after online attacks twisted his mother’s passing into a fresh political battleground. The legislator, visibly pained, took to X to plead for respect and decency.

Mbai criticised sections of the Kamba community for using his mother’s death to revisit past political remarks. He said some individuals had resurfaced his 2022 declaration that Kitui East was a no-go zone for Wiper leaders, linking it to the bereavement in a manner he called inhumane and un-African.

“Dear Kamba community, please, it is NOT our culture to celebrate death,” Mbai wrote, urging the public to honour mourning with empathy, not mockery. He reminded his critics that Kamba traditions demand dignity during loss, regardless of political alignment.

The MP’s statement comes days after the death of his mother, which he announced with gratitude to those offering support. However, as condolences poured in, social media began flooding with politicised interpretations of the moment, forcing Mbai to respond.

He warned that such discourse erodes communal values and urged leaders and followers alike to uphold compassion in tragedy. “The death of a parent is a deeply personal pain. This is not a time for political games,” he said.

Although Mbai received strong support from a number of Kenyans online, including some leaders who echoed his call for unity, the online attacks have not completely stopped.

It remains unclear whether the backlash stems from political rivalries or is part of a larger online culture shift, but Mbai’s words have sparked a deeper conversation: has death lost its sacred place in Kenyan politics?