Nyamu Hotel Bill Row Escalates Over Unpaid Debt Claim
Responding to the latest allegations, Senator Nyamu acknowledged that the bill remains unpaid but said the decision was intentional.
Nominated Sentaor Karen Nyamu. Photo/Daily Nation.
By Robert Mutasi
A public dispute has erupted between nominated Senator Karen Nyamu and Nairobi businessman Dickens Odhiambo, popularly known as Kamau wa Kisumu, over an alleged unpaid hotel bill amounting to Sh29,850.
The disagreement has played out both on social media and in public forums, with each side offering a different account of events that appear to stem from an earlier fallout linked to a State House empowerment programme.
Odhiambo claims that on May 27, during Eid al-Adha celebrations, Senator Nyamu visited his eatery located near Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital accompanied by several supporters. According to him, the group ordered food and soft drinks after the senator encouraged them to enjoy a meal, assuring him that she would settle the bill.
He alleges that after the visit, he shared his M-Pesa payment details with the senator but the bill remained unpaid. Frustrated by the delay, Odhiambo says he later raised the matter publicly during a session of Bunge la Mwananchi in Jacaranda and through other public channels.
The businessman says he has known the senator since last year when he was among a group of youths mobilised to attend an empowerment event at State House Nairobi. During the programme, some participants reportedly received motorcycles to support their livelihoods.
Odhiambo maintains that he was among those who attended but did not receive a motorcycle. Following the event, he expressed his disappointment on social media, describing the visit as a waste of time after allegedly missing out on the promised support.
His remarks reportedly strained his relationship with Senator Nyamu, who has consistently maintained that Odhiambo was among the beneficiaries of the motorcycle programme.
The controversy deepened when Thika-based Bishop John CW came to Odhiambo’s aid. The cleric said he was moved after seeing a video in which Odhiambo allegedly spoke about auctioning a kidney due to financial hardship.
According to the bishop, he purchased a motorcycle worth approximately Sh158,000 and registered it in Odhiambo’s name. He stated that the donation was intended to help the businessman improve his livelihood after learning of his difficulties.
Responding to the latest allegations, Senator Nyamu acknowledged that the bill remains unpaid but said the decision was intentional. In a video shared on social media, the senator accused Odhiambo of damaging her reputation and that of President William Ruto through claims surrounding the State House empowerment initiative.
She said withholding payment was her way of retaliating against what she described as false accusations and attempts to tarnish her name. The senator further disputed the amount being claimed, suggesting that the actual bill was significantly lower than the figure being circulated.
The exchange has attracted widespread attention online, with supporters of both parties weighing in on the dispute. As of now, there is no indication that the matter has been formally reported to authorities or taken to court.
The row continues to generate debate, raising questions about accountability, public perception and the role social media plays in escalating personal and political disagreements into public controversies.
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