Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has spoken for the first time after her emotional TikTok video went viral over the weekend, sparking widespread speculation among Kenyans about her wellbeing.
In the video, posted on Saturday, March 7, the PS appeared quiet and in a dull mood, prompting online users to claim she was overwhelmed and on the verge of tears.
The video has since drawn over 146,500 views, adding to the wave of public reaction.
According to her, the moment captured in the video was a personal reflection taken during what she described as a “very sad day” for many Kenyans affected by ongoing floods and disease outbreaks across the country.
She said her work in public health often exposes her to situations that weigh heavily on her mind and require constant reflection.
PS Mary Muthoni Clarifies Emotional TikTok Clip
According to PS Muthoni, the assumptions made on social media were inaccurate.
“I never cried. I have not cried in a long time. You should know your PS better. I am a strong woman, and I use various ways to express myself to every other person,” PS Muthoni stated.
The explained that every person reflects differently and that her pause in the video was simply part of her routine of thinking deeply about issues affecting Kenyan citizens.
She went on to say that Saturday’s widespread suffering contributed to her dull mood.
She mentioned that even some of her own workers slept in town that night, while many Kenyans struggled after their kiosks and homes were swept away by floods.
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She said such situations keep her awake at night as she continues to worry about disease outbreaks such as cholera and malaria, especially in areas hit hardest by flooding.
“Everyday, I worry about each and every person in this country. The other day I saw people and their properties being swept away by the floods and having looked at where we have come from as a country and where we are now and the outbreak of several water-borne diseases, I had a sleepless night,” she stated.
No Cause for Alarm
The PS insisted that her role requires her to stay connected to people and understand what they go through.
PS Mary Muthoni said her reflections come from a place of empathy, not distress.
She added that she frequently posts reflective videos on her TikTok account, some of which capture her planning for the week ahead or thinking about public health challenges.
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She urged the public not to misinterpret such content or circulate claims that she was crying.
“For the netizens who watched that viral video, your PS is okay and very sober. I connect differently with people. That was just my way of connecting,” PS Muthoni added.
PS Mary Muthoni assured Kenyans that she remains focused on her work and committed to addressing the health issues facing the country.
Her remarks came at a time when heavy rains continue to affect several regions, leading to loss of life, destruction of property, and rising fears of disease outbreaks.
The Ministry of Health has been monitoring multiple flood-prone areas where sanitation challenges and stagnant water increase the risk of infections.
Muthoni reiterated that public health emergencies require teamwork between the government and the public, and that her reflections were centered on how best to respond to emerging threats.
She concluded by reminding Kenyans that leaders are human too, and moments of silence should not always be mistaken for emotional breakdowns.
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