“Do We Even Live in the Same Country?” – Gathoni wa Muchomba’s Harsh Lament After State of the Nation Address
“Do We Even Live in the Same Country?” – Gathoni wa Muchomba’s Harsh Lament After State of the Nation Address
Githunguri MP Gathoni wa Muchomba ignited a heated reaction online after expressing deep frustration with President William Ruto’s remarks during the State of the Nation Address.
The President announced that Kenya’s tea sector earnings had risen from KSh 138 billion to KSh 215 billion, a statement which Wamuchomba described as completely disconnected from the reality on the ground.
Why Tea Farmers Are Still Poor Despite “Record Profits”
“I Felt Like Walking Out” – Wamuchomba Says
In a strongly worded post on Facebook, the MP revealed that she was shocked by the figures quoted in the speech.
She wrote that she “felt like walking out” of the National Assembly chambers when she remembered that some farmers—especially from Kisii—were paid bonus rates as low as KSh 6 per kilo just last month.
Wamuchomba questioned how the tea sector could allegedly be performing so well on paper, while farmers continue receiving dismal payments that cannot sustain their families.
Inside the KSh 6 Bonus Scandal That Sparked National Outrage
“Do We Share the Same Country With the Script Writers?”
Her message did not stop at the figures.
She directly questioned whether the authors of the President’s speech understood the real struggles faced by farmers:
“Do we share the same country with the script writers?”
She went further, joking—but with clear irritation—that perhaps the speech was an old script from the Kibaki era that had been retrieved from the archives and read by mistake.
“Or it was President Kibaki’s speech retrieved from the archives, edited, and they forgot to delete the KSh 215B?”
Was the State of the Nation Script “Disconnected From Reality”?
Farmers’ Anger Mirrors Her Concerns
The MP’s lament reflects rising concerns among tea farmers who feel the sector’s success is often exaggerated through national statistics that do not translate into better earnings.
While the government has consistently promised reforms in agriculture, the ground reality—especially in tea-growing areas such as Kiambu, Kericho, Nyeri, Murang’a, and Kisii—remains harsh.
Bonus payouts have fluctuated wildly, and many farmers argue that operational costs and levies are swallowing up their income.
“Noma si noma?” — The Frustrated Cry
Wamuchomba ended her post with a blunt, emotional line:
“Noma si noma? Hii ndio noma sasa?”
A phrase that captured what she described as the disconnect between government messaging and everyday lived experiences of ordinary Kenyans.
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Conclusion
Gathoni wa Muchomba’s lamentation speaks to a deeper issue:
Are national figures reflecting real life—or are Kenyans being fed statistical comfort?
As tea farmers continue to express dissatisfaction, her comments have reignited debate about transparency, accountability, and the true state of Kenya’s agricultural economy.
.jfif)
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