Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has expressed concern after her three-year-old daughter showed a sudden fascination with Halloween, a holiday the legislator says her family does not celebrate.
In a series of Instagram Stories, the mother of three shared a video of herself holding her young daughter and asking what she wanted. To Nyamu’s surprise, the little girl cheerfully replied, “I am a witch.”
The moment left the senator unsettled. “This morning, my 3-year-old just said she’s a witch days after Halloween in school,” she wrote, adding that the child likely picked up the idea from classmates.
Halloween was celebrated worldwide on 31 October 2025, and though the tradition is gaining popularity in some parts of Kenya, Nyamu made it clear she doesn’t approve.
“That’s the problem, I didn’t buy costumes because we don’t celebrate Halloween. See how easily seeds are planted in these little minds. As Christian parents we must stay alert. Not everything that looks fun is harmless. Our children’s spirits are being shaped every day,” she cautioned.
Nyamu went on to say that, moving forward, her family would deliberately avoid any exposure to the festival. “If we are not intentional about what we expose them to, Halloween week will be our vacation time going forward,” she added.
According to Mental Floss, Halloween traces its origins to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a harvest ritual marked by bonfires and costumes to ward off roaming spirits.
The night of 31 October, the eve of All Saints’ Day, often celebrated by children dressing up in frightening masks and costumes.
Over the centuries, it evolved into the modern holiday known for trick-or-treating, pumpkin carvings, and eerie decorations.
However, not everyone agrees with the celebration’s spiritual undertones. Many Christians, including Nyamu, associate it with dark symbolism and prefer to keep their children away from it.
Nyamu’s remarks have sparked debate online, with many parents admitting they share her concerns.
Instagram user Emie P commented, “Told my 5-year-old that the angels above don’t like Halloween because it’s scary and gives us nightmares. I’m African, sitaki stress mimi.”
Another user, Shani, echoed the sentiment, writing, “On this I agree with her.”
While Halloween remains a fun and colourful tradition for some, others, like Karen Nyamu, believe it’s a subtle cultural import that could erode local values, a sentiment that continues to divide opinion among Kenyan parents.