- Kibuye Market chairlady Judith “Nyaramba” Matengo returned from custody to a cheering crowd, sparking fresh debate in Kisumu
- Her arrest had followed a viral video showing her attacking two traders, leading to charges tied to assault and public disorder
- Prosecutors warned that releasing her could reignite tensions, and a court initially ordered that she remain in custody
- Her dramatic welcome back drew mixed reactions online, with some Kenyans questioning the support while others hinted there was more to the story
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Kibuye Market chairlady Judith Matengo has remained a controversial figure in various circles in Kisumu city.
Source: Facebook
How was Nyaramba welcomed by supporters?
The return of the Kibuye Market chairlady stirred unusual scenes on Monday, November 24, as hundreds of traders cheered and waved placards to welcome back a woman whose name has dominated conversations in the lakeside city for weeks.
Matengo, better known as Nyaramba, stepped out of custody to a roaring crowd that treated her release as a moment of victory, flanking her as she raised her hands in the air in a show of defiance and relief.
Her supporters danced, shouted her name, and whisked her into a waiting vehicle as if receiving a political icon, not a market leader freshly freed from cases tied to violence.
Her dramatic welcome was a striking contrast to the incident that put her behind bars in the first place.
Why was Nyaramba arrested?
Nyaramba’s troubles began on Monday, November 17, after a video circulated widely across Kenyan social media platforms.
In the clip, she was seen assaulting two women traders with a wooden rod at Kibuye Market as stunned onlookers watched without intervening.
The victims, Mercy Okoth and Rozette Adhiambo, later sought treatment at Lumumba Sub-county Hospital, where they were documented to have soft-tissue injuries.
Both recorded statements with the police, who announced they were still tracking other individuals thought to have participated in the attack.
The video, coupled with the outcry that followed, heightened public pressure on authorities to act; hence, police in Kisumu Central Sub-county arrested her.
When she was arraigned on November 18, Matengo faced three charges: causing chaos and public disorder, assault causing actual bodily harm, and taking part in unlawful violence.
Before Magistrate Robert Oanda, prosecutors strongly objected to her release, arguing that her presence in the market had already inflamed tensions and could trigger fresh confrontations.
Magistrate Oanda sided with the prosecution, ordering that Nyaramba be held in custody.
How Kenyans reacted to Nyaramba’s release
Online, Kenyans reacted sharply to the cheering crowd that received her, with many questioning how a leader accused of violence could attract such overwhelming support.
Source: Facebook
However, not everyone condemned the crowd, as some argued that the viral clip didn’t capture the full story.
Hon Tobias Samba:
“Ama ni wanawake Nyaramba alichapa viboko ndio wabaya na Nyaramba ndio mzuri?”
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Elizabeth Ongoma:
“Wenye walikuwa kwa ground ndo wanajua how it started owadza, kwanza huyu mama ndo alikuwa anatak kupiga nyaramba then nyaramba akamnyanganya luth na kumchapa nayo na sina loya hahahahha.”
Litch Kitch:
“All the women celebrating here are sick. Go to the hospital.”
Ogwati Steven:
“Iko shida pahali.”
Adongo Nyarr Kisumo:
“Ofuwo sana: How do you beat another woman with a huge stick, then people celebrate?”
Is Nyaramba seeking political office?
As reported earlier, traders at the market said her recent violent acts were not isolated incidents.
Some accused her of ruling through fear and harassment, often targeting those who challenge her authority.
Others claimed she enjoyed political protection, with one influencer alleging she once returned from custody treated almost like a VIP.
Amid the uproar, reports suggest she is eyeing the MCA seat in the Kaloleni–Shauri Moyo Ward, raising questions about how her influence in the market ties into her political ambitions.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
