Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has offered to sponsor the grandchildren of Pauline Waithera, a mama mboga who went viral during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) campaigns in 2022.

After over one year since the campaigns and elections came to a close, the Mama Mboga’s face and name has refused to disappear from the public scene.

Her name has often popped up in social media discussions with some quarters accusing the Kenya Kwanza government of using and dumping her.

On Wednesday, April 3- however, Moses Kuria moved to fulfill perhaps what would be seen as a token of appreciation for Waithera’s involvement in the campaigns where President William Ruto campaigned on the promise of uplifting the mama mbogas.

Kuria was in his home county of Kiambu where, alongside other area leaders, attended the burial of Waithera’s only son.

In a statement, the Public Service Cabinet Secretary promised to support the three children left behind by the deceased to pursue their education.

“Today, I joined her, her family, relatives, and friends in Githunguri, Kiambu County, as she laid to rest her only son, Alex Mbugua Waithira, who rested at the age of 51,” Kuria said.

“I have committed to educate and empower the three sons he has left behind.”

In his statement, CS Kuria said Pauline Waithera was instrumental in the Kenya Kwanza campaigns where she was among those who endorsed President Ruto at the Bomas of Kenya.

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Moses Kuria praises mama mboga for defending Ruto

He also revisited a time in June 2023 when Pauline Njoroge came out to publicly deny allegations that the Kenya Kwanza government abandoned her after her role as the face of the mama mboga-targeted campaigns. 

“Pauline Waithera, who runs a fruit grocery shop in Kiambu town, on Wednesday, June 7, dismissed claims that President William Ruto used and dumped her,” Kuria added.

At the time, Waithera insisted that Ruto did not turn his back on her as alleged in some quarters but gifted her Ksh300,000.

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In an interview with the media, Waithera dispelled the allegations and pledged her loyalty to the President noting that she started supporting Ruto in 2013.

“Through him, my kids have never been sent away from school, I never slept hungry, and my house has not been locked. He gave me Ksh300,000 after I endorsed his presidential bid at Bomas of Kenya,” she noted to respond to the claims that Ruto had abandoned her.

Also present at the burial ceremony were Kiambu County Women Representative Hon Anne Wamuratha, Area MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, area MCA , among others.