A video showing Nyandarua County nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) Milka Nyambura Mwangi struggling to frame questions in English during a county assembly committee session has gone viral across Kenya.
During the committee vetting hearing, Hon. Nyambura questioned a county official regarding executive leadership roles. Addressing the session, she asked: "What is the chief officer?
As the official began responding, she added: "My question I asking I asking you my question what is the chief officer? It's a simple questions to answer."
Despite visible difficulties with English grammar and sentence construction, her firm delivery and unyielding confidence sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms.
Prominent Kikuyu radio presenter Muthoni wa Kirumba, popular on air as Baby Top, publicly came out to support the nominated MCA following online commentary.
Writing on her official Facebook page, the radio personality dismissed the online criticism directed at the legislator's English communication. She argued that a person's fluency in English does not define their intelligence or leadership value.
"Many Great inventors never knew English!" Muthoni wrote.
"The president of China, Pope… name them, don't speak English; They have to use a translator, and many presidents have weak English, and that's not a big deal,” she added.
Muthoni emphasised that language barriers should not be confused with a lack of education or capability.
"English is a subject like any other subject. It’s just a language barrier, Just the way I can't speak kalenjin or abagusii fluently doesn't mean am illiterate!!!!" she posted.
She concluded her statement by adding: "English came with ship.." beforestating: "Kudos Nyambura witùù.."
Constitutional Context and Assembly Rules
The viral incident has opened up a broader national conversation regarding the formal language requirements in regional legislative bodies across Kenya.
Nyandarua County Assembly consists of elected ward representatives alongside 15 nominated MCAs appointed through political party lists. Under Article 120 of the Constitution of Kenya, official business in county assemblies may be conducted in eitherEnglish or Kiswahili, as well as Kenyan Sign Language.
Supporters of Hon. Nyambura noted that members are constitutionally permitted to conduct assembly debates and committee interrogation in Kiswahili if they prefer.
