Alice Ng’ang’a, Mama Simba, Kiambu governor bid gained momentum Sunday when the outspoken Thika Town MP publicly declared unwavering loyalty to President William Ruto during an address at AIPCA church in Kiambu, telling him he faces no opposition from her side if he decides to sell Safaricom shares or other national assets to ease economic pressures.
Speaking to hundreds of supporters in Kiambu, who has branded herself “Mama Simba” ahead of the 2027 elections, shouted, “Rais, ukisema Safaricom iuzwe, sisi hakuna wa kukupinga. Ukisema assets za Kenya ziuzwe, uza! Sisi hatuwezi kukupinga ziuze nchi yetu isaidike.” She added with characteristic flair, “Mimi naitwa Mama Simba, incoming Kiambu Governor. Mama Simba, hoiyee!” before concluding with a light-hearted plea: “Alafu, Rais, ukitoka tunataka utupange na kitu ya sikukuu.”
The remarks, delivered in a mix of Sheng and Swahili, drew cheers and laughter from the congregants and youth who went to catch a glimpse of the president’s motorcade returning from church events in Gatundu. Many recorded the moment on phones, with clips spreading rapidly across TikTok and WhatsApp groups.
Ng’ang’a’s bold endorsement comes amid ongoing national conversations about potential privatisation of state corporations to raise funds for debt repayment and infrastructure. While no official plans exist to sell all Safaricom stakes beyond recent partial divestitures, her statement signals strong backing from grassroots leaders in the populous Mt Kenya region for tough economic decisions.
Supporters interpret her words as pragmatic support for the bottom-up agenda, believing asset sales could free resources for direct citizen benefits like roads, hospitals, and youth funds in Kiambu. One trader at Thika market told reporters that Mama Simba speaks the language of ordinary hustlers who want results over political drama.
The MP has built a reputation for colourful, direct communication since entering Parliament in 2022 on a UDA ticket. Her “Mama Simba” moniker reflects a fierce protective image for constituents, often clashing with opponents while championing women and small businesses.
Political rivals downplayed the comments as attention-seeking, but allies praised her courage in publicly aligning with the president at a time when some Mt Kenya voices express reservations. Analysts say such open loyalty strengthens her position as a frontrunner for the Kiambu gubernatorial race against incumbents and other aspirants.
Youth groups in Thika welcomed the festive season request, viewing it as typical Mama Simba humour that resonates with families preparing for Christmas. Past events organised by her office have distributed food hampers and school supplies, building goodwill across sub-counties.
As Kiambu politics heats up, Alice Ng’ang’a continues positioning herself as the people’s champion, unafraid to speak truth to power while maintaining party discipline. Her supporters chant “Mama Simba for Governor” at every opportunity, confident her straightforward style will carry her to County Hall in 2027.
The church declaration adds another colourful chapter to Kenya’s vibrant political scene, where leaders blend policy talk with cultural flair and seasonal cheer. For residents following the exchange, it reinforced Mama Simba’s image as both a fierce advocate and a relatable neighbour ready to fight for development however it comes. With elections still distant, her early campaign momentum shows no signs of slowing.