Workhorse in the House: The meteoric rise of ‘tugokira tene’ song author and her unapologetic politics
Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina addresses wananchi during the launch of an education programme for Mathira dubbed 'Wamumbi Masomo Kwa Wote' in Karatina Stadium, Nyeri County, on January 19, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina has built a reputation as a tireless public servant whose work ranges from supporting persons with disabilities to helping families in distress.
- Admired and criticised in equal measure, she is a staunch supporter of President Ruto and a vocal figure in Mt Kenya politics even as she plans to defend her seat.
At 35, Betty has emerged as one of Murang’a’s most intriguing political figures—energetic, outspoken and unapologetically loyal to President Ruto; her hands-on approach, community grounding and political boldness have earned her both allies and adversaries.
Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina is known for her relentless work ethic, rarely pausing as she moves between her many roles. At just 35, she remains steadfast in her belief that “serving is a calling and my destiny is in God’s hands—guiding me to the best he wants for me.”
From empowering persons with disabilities and supporting survivors of gender-based violence to raising medical funds and helping families cover burial expenses, her compassion is widely acknowledged. She insists she can account for every shilling of her National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
“I use it for progressive work like giving schools water tanks, paying fees for needy children, buying groups tents and chairs, and empowering marginalised people with income-generating projects, where I distribute beehives,” she says.
Yet, in her public speeches, she leaves behind a trail of both admirers and critics. Betty is also a fierce critic of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is perceived to wield significant influence in the region. Last year, some elders threatened to banish her from the community for publicly opposing Rigathi. Some local activists even warned that they would initiate her recall, but she dismissed the push as “acts in nullity sponsored by those paranoid of a modern girl from the village growing in grace and favour and dining at the national table”.
Murang'a Youth Forum coordinator Jecinta Njoki says the woman rep is temperamental and that is her undoing. “If only our woman rep manages her temperaments, learn how to say it nicely and stop exchanging harsh banters both publicly and online, she would make a fantastic leader. But she is young, she will grow up with time.”
Betty, however, downplays such remarks, saying her sworn enemies are “gender-based violence, alcoholism, narcotics and poverty, especially that breeds hunger”. Her efforts to mitigate hunger among the vulnerable include donating beans, a gesture that has earned her the nickname “Wamaboco”.
For Kibugi wa Ihii Foundation boss Joseph Kibugi, she is the best leader from the county. He rates her as “the best ballot decision we, Murang'a voters, made in 2022. She leads in ground presence changing lives for the better.”
Mr James Njogu, who lives with disability, concurs. “She is the only leader seen publicly pushing for development projects that target those of us living with disabilities,” he says.
Betty’s entry into politics was strategic. When an opportunity presented itself, she seized it. Born and raised in Kigumo, she attended Kangari Upcountry Academy and later Naaro Girls’ High School. She completed a degree in development studies, graduating in 2022—just in time to successfully vie for the woman rep seat.
Community service
Before joining politics, she devoted herself to community service through initiatives such as fundraising for needy students. It was during one of these volunteer activities that she interacted with county leaders who later played a key role in her political rise. In 2013, she was appointed by her predecessor, Sabina Chege, as an office administrator. In 2019, then Water Principal Secretary Joseph Wairagu appointed her as a director of the Athi Water Development Agency, a position she resigned from in 2022 to pursue elective politics.
During the campaign trail, she became known for her creativity in composing campaign songs that swayed the electorate. She authored the “tugokira tene tugathure [President William] Ruto” song, which became a political anthem in Mt Kenya and cemented her popularity.
Direct in criticising what she opposes and persuasive in championing what she supports, she presents herself as a well-rounded politician—admired and opposed in equal measure. A staunch supporter of Dr Ruto in a region not particularly enthusiastic about his administration, Betty maintains her stance unapologetically. “Minus emotions and vengeance-driven politics, there is nothing to suggest that President Ruto is hostile to Mt Kenya aspirations. The President has remained true to our social contract and in him we are safe,” she says.
She adds she would be the last person to abandon the government to chase a new political order. “Why fix what is not broken? What evidence do we have that a government that has the majority of our people in the Cabinet and is delivering wonders among our people is an enemy? Regardless, I stand for President Ruto’s reelection,” she says.
Betty has also made history as the only elected legislator married to a colleague with whom she serves in the same House, both as first-time MPs. “It is a marriage that some had dismissed as built on quicksand and which was bound to collapse within no time. But look, we are still together and growing strong,” she says joyfully.
Her ability to maintain influence across both political and personal spheres is striking, and she openly acknowledges that she has “ears that matter in governance”. During her bride wealth negotiations in 2024, Dr Ruto and Mr Gachagua were chief guests. Reports indicate that her bride price ran into millions of shillings.
On November 7, 2024, Betty stated that Dr Ruto had confided in her that “soon, former President Uhuru Kenyatta will be working with us about our 2027 re-election bid”. True to her word, Dr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta met in Ichaweri that December.
“You might be seeing a petite woman in me and tempted to believe I know nothing. The things that I happen to know about this government are many. I can confirm to you that the President and Mr Kenyatta are working together behind the scenes,” she told Kogi's Corner TV.
Betty added, “Just wait and see for confirmation that mine is no idle talk ... Soon, you will see former key men in Mr Kenyatta’s loyal circle being appointed into government to take up positions of those who have decided to drive our country over the cliff. In the next six months, I tell you that the President's men and some key allies of his predecessor will be reading from the same script and planning the next move of 2027 together.”
On December 19, 2024, the President appointed several of Mr Kenyatta’s allies to key Cabinet portfolios—former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo to ICT and Digital Economy; former Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe to Agriculture; and former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui to Investment, Trade and Industry. Former Murang'a Senator Kembi Gitura became board chairman of Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, while former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi was appointed Kenya Revenue Authority board chairperson.
Betty says she has learnt the virtues of loyalty, diligence and patience. She would be happiest seeing young people achieve their dreams early, “and that can only happen if we inculcate in ourselves the culture of sobriety in picking transformative leaders not guided by self-gain but committed to serve humanity to progress”.
She plans to defend her seat in 2027 under President Ruto’s political formation, insisting that “this government deserves a second term."
