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Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina and Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi are the newest couple in town.
But their display of affection during political meetings and on social media platforms indicates a love affair that is not without controversy.
While the two first-time MPs have hinted at plans to tie the knot, social media has been awash with reports of a fallout involving Wamumbi and former Nyeri Nominated MCA Beth Nyawira.
Before being elected as MP, Wamumbi and Nyawira served as MCAs.
It all started three days ago when Nyawira took to her Facebook page to vent about her alleged tribulations after meeting with Maina at a political event.
Claiming to have been insulted by Maina for allegedly attacking her through social media, the seemingly angry Nyawira dared the Woman Rep to conduct a wedding claiming she would accompany them to their honeymoon.
She went on: "Even that lady was married and wore a white gown and her wedding did not work, and it is of no consequence to announce about my come-we-stay marriage with a cop, you we'll still leave each other," she wrote in direct reference to Mathira MP.
Before Nyawira'a post, Wamumbi had replied to the former's post accusing her of embarrassing her husband, in-laws, and close friends by humiliating herself through a series of Facebook posts.
"Please mind your language, a good woman honours her man, what are your husband's colleagues saying? Let post-election depression not bring you this far. Your husband is a police officer, if you honour and support him, he will support your family until you get to the next level," Wamumbi posted on his page.
In a more brazen response, Nyawira replied: "Depressed, nope, in love yes mapenzi ni kipofu hayaoni haya saa hii ndio umejua bwana askari after five years? Hasira yako iko triggered na nini, kujua bwana ni askari ama mapenzi? You had the opportunity to stop all this when your woman came to me with unnecessary talks while you watched...mtaachana tu."
Resolved differences
Although Nyawira later told The Nairobian that Maina through their mutual friends had reached out to her and solved their differences, she stood her ground that her remarks were a result of anger and disrespect from Murang'a Woman Rep and failure by Wamumbi to solve the issue opting to watch helplessly as the drama ensued.
"It was on Friday last week during the consultative forum organised by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. I had not intended to attend the ceremony but a friend of mine who was part of the guests called me from Nairobi and sent me to the venue to furnish her with the status of the event since she would get late," she explained.
After the function, Nyawira mingled with leaders and encountered Wamumbi and his lovebird Ms Maina and greeted them.
"That is when all hell broke loose. Ms Maina attacked me and castigated me for allegedly attacking her on my social media pages and called me mannerless as Wamumbi watched helplessly. I was angry and did not utter a word and that is why I vented on social media; everything I said is true but out of anger," she told The Nairobian on phone.
The former MCA and a staunch supporter of former President Uhuru Kenyatta however said she was content with the turn of events and wished the lovebirds well in their future marriage.
"The three of us have had marriages in the past but it went south because of fate, I wish them lots of love and the very best," she said.
However, she disclosed that they have blocked each other on social media platforms but sent a message to Wamumbi: "Athuri metirwo athuri ni gutharian maundu (men were called men because of sorting issues with wisdom).
"The way he handled the matter was not the very best approach, he would have looked for ways to foster peace amongst us because we are not strangers to him," she said.
She said yes
On Monday, Wa Mumbi proposed to Ms Maina in an event attended by Governors Anne Waiguru and Susan Kihika, as well as former UDA Secretary General and Nominated Senator Veronicah Maina.
After the proposal, the duo took to their social media pages to share the news with their respective audiences.
"One day at a time sweet Jesus. He makes all things beautiful in his own time. Thanks to my sisters for organising this wonderful surprise. My dear Eric, you rock!" Maina said in her post alongside a picture of her engagement ring.
On his part, Wamumbi wrote, "And out of love, she said yes."
In a recent interview with vernacular TV, Wa Mumbi revealed that they will soon conduct a marriage ceremony with Gachagua leading a team of bride price negotiators.
He disclosed that they started dating during last year's campaign.
Wamumbi's marriage with his first wife Catherine Nyambura had a tragic end when her lifeless body was found floating in Hohwe dam in May 24, 2020, after she went missing on Saturday May 22, 2020.
Maina separated from her husband over what she described as "incompatibility'.
Before vying for the Women Rep post Maina was a director at Athi Water Works Development Agency but before then, she was a political mobilizer in Murang'a where he worked for leaders such as former Kigumo MP Jamlic Kamau, former Muranga Women Rep Sabina Chege, Peter Kenneth and JJ Kamotho in 2013.
Wamumbi was Konyu Ward MCA in Mathira with his fortunes rising after President William Ruto picked Gachagua as his running mate and in turn Gachagua picked him to succeed him.
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