Kirinyaga politics has been thrown into an extraordinary controversy after underwear branded with the names of Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina and Senator James Kamau Murango triggered a fierce media and political confrontation.
The two leaders have now turned to lawyers, demanding that NTV and Citizen Television withdraw reports linking them to the controversial panties and allegations surrounding NGAAF funds.
In letters dated September 24, 2026, their lawyers accused the broadcasters of creating a damaging impression that the politicians were involved in distributing the underwear. They have issued a 24-hour ultimatum, setting the stage for a potentially explosive legal battle.
Kirinyaga Panties Saga Explodes Into Political and Legal Fight ¶
The controversy erupted after television reports showed underwear carrying political branding associated with Murango's gubernatorial ambitions and references to NGAAF, immediately raising questions about who produced, distributed, and financed the items.
NTV aired a report titled “Chupi za Murango Zaibua Hoja Kirinyaga,” while Citizen Television ran a report captioned “Party Panties: Anger in Kirinyaga After Women Receive Free Underwear Promoting Senator Kamau Murango's Gubernatorial Bid.” The reports placed the bizarre underwear saga at the centre of Kirinyaga's increasingly competitive political landscape.
But instead of allowing the reports to dominate the political conversation, Maina and Murango have launched a coordinated legal offensive, insisting that the coverage misrepresented their involvement and created an impression that they had participated in the misuse of public resources.
Njeri Maina Draws A Hard Line Over NGAAF Claims ¶
Maina has particularly rejected any suggestion that her office authorized the use of NGAAF resources to produce or distribute the underwear.
Through her lawyers, she maintains that she “did not authorise or participate in any diversion or improper expenditure of NGAAF money.”
Her legal team argues that the reports went beyond merely highlighting the existence of the branded underwear and instead created an impression that her office was connected to its distribution. The lawyers further contend that viewers could have interpreted the reports as suggesting that Maina and Murango worked together to misuse public funds.
That is a serious allegation because NGAAF is a public programme, meaning any claim that its resources were diverted for political promotion carries significant political and legal consequences.
Maina's response therefore appears designed to draw a clear line between her public office and the controversial items while challenging the media houses to substantiate any suggestion of her involvement.
Murango Rejects Claims Over His Name And Political Branding ¶
Murango has also come out aggressively against the reports, denying that he received, controlled, or misused NGAAF funds for the alleged underwear distribution.
In his demand letter to NTV, the senator states that he “did not receive, control, use, or misuse NGAAF funds for that purpose, whether acting alone or with Hon. Njeri Maina.”
His lawyers have also told Citizen Television that Murango did not authorize the use of his name on the underwear and had no role in procuring or administering anything under NGAAF.
The controversy is particularly sensitive for Murango because the items reportedly carried the words “Gov Kamau Murango 2027,” directly tying the underwear to his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 Kirinyaga gubernatorial contest.
That branding has transformed what might otherwise have been a bizarre political publicity story into a much bigger dispute involving public funds, political branding, media reporting, and accountability.
24-Hour Ultimatum Puts NTV And Citizen On The Spot ¶
The most explosive part of the dispute is now the legal ultimatum issued to the broadcasters.
In three separate letters described as “EXTREMELY URGENT” and dated September 24, 2026, lawyers from Sakimpa & Partners Advocates demanded that NTV and Citizen Television pull down the disputed reports and related social media posts.
The politicians are also demanding prominent retractions, public apologies, written admission of liability, and an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Their lawyers have further complained that their clients were not allowed to respond before the reports were broadcast. They argue that this violated provisions of Kenya's Code of Conduct for Media Practice, 2025, particularly requirements concerning verification of allegations and giving people adversely mentioned an opportunity to respond.
The letters give the media houses just 24 hours to comply.
Failure to do so, the lawyers warn, could push the dispute beyond television screens and social media into formal proceedings before the Media Complaints Commission and potentially the courts, where the politicians could seek damages, interest, and legal costs.
The Kirinyaga panties saga has therefore moved far beyond the bizarre images that first sparked public attention. It is now a confrontation over political branding, public money, media responsibility, and reputational damage.
And with both politicians refusing to accept the reports as presented, the next move now rests with NTV and Citizen Television.
