A politician from Kenya seemingly thought she’d be entitled to special treatment from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), while flying within the United States. However, the internet seems divided as to whether she was serious, or was joking and being flirty.
In this post:
“I am a VIP in my country, why am I in this line?
Kenyan Senator Karen Nyamu recently traveled through Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), and filmed an interesting interaction she had while going through the TSA checkpoint. In the short clip posted online, she’s seen talking to the TSA agent as her identity is being verified, and says the following:
Senator: “They made me queue over here, and I’m a VIP in my country.”
TSA officer: “I think that might be for your airline.”
Senator: “I’m a senator.”
TSA officer: “A senator?”
Senator: “Yeah, and I’m flying first class.”
TSA officer: “Oh, you’re flying first class. I think that’s mostly just the airline, because this is standard procedures. If you have like PreCheck or something, that’s downstairs.”
A moment later, as she’s cleared to go, the conversation continues as follows:
TSA officer: “You’re good to go.”
Senator: “What’s your name?”
TSA officer: “Justin.”
Senator: “How old are you?”
TSA officer: “21.”
Senator: “Oh you’re so cute.”
Was this interaction entitled or flirty?
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not up to date on Kenyan politics, so I’m not sure what kind of a reputation Nyamu has. If you take the first part of the conversation at face value, it definitely does come across as entitled.
You think you’re entitled to special privileges at an airport in the United States because you’re a politician in another country? Arguably most politicians shouldn’t get special privileges in their own country, but that’s a whole different story.
However, the fact that Nyamu films the interaction, in addition to the conversation at the end, suggests that the tone was more humorous and flirty. So I’m tempted to give her the benefit of the doubt, and assume she just has a good sense of humor, even if not everyone followed along.
In a separate Instagram post, Nyamu posted a photo with the following caption, clearly in response to this:
I hate drama. Why do you make Justin to trend in my country where I am a VIP and a senerra don’t you know jokes
Bottom line
A Kenyan politician is making headlines in Kenya, after she filmed her interaction with a TSA officer. She explained she was a VIP in her country, and asked why she had to wait in line. He wasn’t sure exactly how to respond, but she then flirted with him, asked his age, and told him he was cute.
I’m inclined to believe she was just being humorous, and appreciate her attitude, even if it can also be interpreted differently.
What do you make of this TSA interaction?
Maybe when she said she was a senator, he thought was carrying her LH Senator card.
Very AOC and Crockett like. I’m sure both of these libs try that every day. And also demand half off or comped meals at restaurants. Vile humans, all of them.
I'd rather be a toilet seat on an Air India 777 leaving from ORD then the King of Kenya.
racist much?
If he is a Kenyan senator, wouldn't his government give him a diplomatic passport which would grant him diplomatic immunity?
No.
No. You are a diplomat only in the country for which you are assigned and diplomatically accredited. Even if you are a “diplomat” it doesn’t mean you are a diplomat everywhere in the world - only the country(s) you officially work in.
I was a US diplomat in the middle east. When I would travel to Europe, I had to use my tourist passport because the diplomatic passport was not registered as an accredited diplomat. That can lead to a lot of problems if people do that.
This article has nothing to do with my points and miles strategy. I thought I would point that out as it shows that this blog is more about news than information, strategy, and review content. Now, to comment on the article, I agree apparently she was not using her diplomatic passport. This is evident from the conversation, as well.
TSA/ICE does give special treatment for foreign politicians but it needs to be arranged by embassy/consulate. Once I travelled with Japanese minister and landed at SFO -our group breezed through immigration/security check with the escort of Japanese Consul-General. Such arrangement is only possible where we have physical Consulate - among US gateway for Japan, only DFW does not qualify (we have Consulate at Houston).
Not one comment yet commending Justin for handling the encounter in a full professional manner? Good on him.
And I'm sure he is in deed cute.
Who cares?
Clearly you do, as you both read and commented on the matter.
Classless and undignified. She's made a fool of herself, and of Kenya.
That 2nd embedded " modeling pose / attire " says it all ..........
Kinda 'ballsy', even if she was ( probably ) joking AND filming the encounter with TSA ( insufferable, these days )...
( I 'lose' my sense of humor when dealing with security anywhere ..lol )
Clearly she was reverting to her 'feminine wiles' for the 'production'....
Click bait entertainment, but really sad if she has any political 'status'...
That 2nd embedded " modeling pose / attire " says it all ..........
Kinda 'ballsy', even if she was ( probably ) joking AND filming the encounter with TSA ( insufferable, these days )...
( I 'lose' my sense of humor when dealing with security anywhere ..lol )
Clearly she was reverting to her 'feminine wiles' for the 'production'....
Click bait entertainment, but really sad if she has any political 'status' ( sorta like this country !
I'd like to see her pull this crap in Qatar, where they may really give her the 'special treatment' as they did to those poor Ozzie females yanked of a QR flight for 'inspection' a few years back !
Good thing she was not at Oakland airport, otherwise she would be made to stand in line with the prostitutes/drug mules and you could hear the security Laugh all over the airport.
It isn't Oakland Airport.
It is "San Fransico Bay Adjacent International Airport Conveniently Located In Nearby Oakland"
BYO body armour and AK-47.
I do believe if she were trying to play the status game, she would have tried harder. The encounter lated 20 seconds, not to mention it happened once she reached the agent and not at the end of the line. It's in the details, people. In truth, you're going to see it how you're going to see it, explaining will not matter one bit
DYKWIA Syndrome sticking her camera in his face and posting the interaction.
in theory and most likely here, being a senator, she will have a diplomatic passport, which she is meant to use when she travels for work related reasons. Usually there will be a special line for those passengers. It is not a matter of special treatment for politicians as you indicate in your piece but normal procedure in any country (including the USA).
Currently I travel for my masters on a Diplomatic Passport. I never pass through customs or passport control with the other passengers.
I always arrive by car and check in at a dedicated airport security gate. I am then driven to the ground floor of the air bridge tower. I am escorted to the aircraft. The reverse happens upon arrival at my destination.
One suspects that the subject woman was not travelling on a diplomatic passport.
Well, jolly good ole chap ! ... Sounds even much better than that lowly AF ' La Prmiere ' tussle / nonsense ! .., lpl
Well now bossa, for our next SIN holiday flight we will give the AF New La Premiere a squirt.
Ce n'est pas du tout absurde, cela vaut simplement la peine d'essayer pour changer.
La Premiere nonsense should be equally acceptable, thank you.
Ahh... tres bien et touche, mon cherie...Je vous remercie pour le francaise !
I should be ashamed to disclose I studied linguistics including 1 year of 'tres agreable' francaise @ Uni but I'm faaaar from fluent or conversant. But your timing is inspirational as I'm about to attend my city's 28th annual French film festival ! ( a poor gringo bloke's annual vicarious European summer holiday !)
Alas I will never know the...
Ahh... tres bien et touche, mon cherie...Je vous remercie pour le francaise !
I should be ashamed to disclose I studied linguistics including 1 year of 'tres agreable' francaise @ Uni but I'm faaaar from fluent or conversant. But your timing is inspirational as I'm about to attend my city's 28th annual French film festival ! ( a poor gringo bloke's annual vicarious European summer holiday !)
Alas I will never know the 'plaisirs' of AF's 'La Premiere" mais je vous souhaite un bon voyage en tout sécurité a SIN !
Ciao !
What a waste of resources.
The list of those who qualify for a Kenyan diplomatic passport does not include mere rank-and-file senators. This is in line with most counties, including the United States, where senators are issued with an "official passport", as opposed to the formal diplomatic type which is reserved for politicians who serve/served as president or vice president.
"I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not up to date on Kenyan politics, so I’m not sure what kind of a reputation Nyamu has."
I'm not either, so I simply asked O3:
"She was nominated rather than elected...Even her supporters struggle to name signature bills. Critics say she’s better at TikTok than floor work.
[In] 2023: Thrown out of the Senate chamber for wearing a sleeveless top—became a national meme. 2022–24:...
"I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not up to date on Kenyan politics, so I’m not sure what kind of a reputation Nyamu has."
I'm not either, so I simply asked O3:
"She was nominated rather than elected...Even her supporters struggle to name signature bills. Critics say she’s better at TikTok than floor work.
[In] 2023: Thrown out of the Senate chamber for wearing a sleeveless top—became a national meme. 2022–24: Public, on-again-off-again affair with married Mugithi star Samidoh Muchoki (father of two of her children). Ugly Dubai nightclub incident in Dec-2022 led UDA’s disciplinary summons. 2025: Public spat with Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who mocked her “beauty over brains”; she fired back calling him “outdated.”
...Whispers of an affair with “Kenya One” (the president) and other senior figures—pure blog/talk-radio fodder; no evidence beyond gossip threads (origin example in Sept-2024 blog post).
“Drama queen,” “baby-mama senator,” “hustler heroine”—depends who you ask. Supporters like her blunt, relatable style and see her as proof that young single mothers can rise. Detractors think she’s an attention addict who rides scandals for relevance.
Nyamu’s brand is 70 % tabloid celebrity, 30 % politician. Every time she tries to pivot to sober issues (debt, hawker abuse, artist royalties) something—an outfit, a love-triangle update, a club clip—yanks her back into the gossip pages. Inside UDA she’s useful for Mt Kenya youth mobilisation; outside, she’s the Senate’s most reliable headline generator."
Great DD, so basically the equivalent to the average Dem politician in the US
Foreign government officials, high level enough and on official business, do walk past TSA with arrangement by the State
She's the equivalent of AOC in the states.
So in other words she’s patriotic and cares about the well being of the citizenry.
Good for her.
That’s the funniest comment yet!
MABA: Make Alexandria a Bartender Again
@Alonzo
Not sure how she is "the equivalent of AOC."
AOC doesn't go to airports and proclaim that she is a VIP.
But of course ! ... No need to bother with peak security as you board your PRIVATE jet !!
..lol
** ' pesky security ' **
Came exactly to say this, but you did it first
Karen is an outspoken but controversial senator in Kenyan politics. Normally, she has a flair for humor whether intentional or not and she can at any time stir both drama and laughter in the same breath. The conversation was almost going beyond.. what's your name...
Is there a difference to this than saying I'm ... in a foreign country?
I'm ...insert race/religion/country... Therefore the rule doesn't apply to me. I make my own rules for others to follow. I can claim any territory. I can censor free speech. I can punish everyone that oppose my policy or ideology.
Nothing said will change procedures at TSA and that is how it should be.
Decades ago I overheard the following interaction at ZRH security.
Security to Pilot: Please open your bag for inspection.
Pilot to Security: Do you think I will bring a bomb to my cockpit?
Security to Pilot: Of course not, because if you do not comply you will not fly.
The pilot was then followed by an...
Nothing said will change procedures at TSA and that is how it should be.
Decades ago I overheard the following interaction at ZRH security.
Security to Pilot: Please open your bag for inspection.
Pilot to Security: Do you think I will bring a bomb to my cockpit?
Security to Pilot: Of course not, because if you do not comply you will not fly.
The pilot was then followed by an African diplomat who was somewhat embarrassed at his bag being full of Kinder chocolate eggs for kids, followed by my bag, also stuffed with Kinder chocolate eggs!
I've lived in Nairobi for five years and most Kenyan Politicians are corrupt scum that waste taxpayer money when they're not outright stealing it. Various estimates from government officials over the years have put the percentage of revenue lost too fraud at around 30%, all while the government continues to raise taxes on people and the private sector even during difficult economic times. On top of that, KE pols are some of the best compensated...
I've lived in Nairobi for five years and most Kenyan Politicians are corrupt scum that waste taxpayer money when they're not outright stealing it. Various estimates from government officials over the years have put the percentage of revenue lost too fraud at around 30%, all while the government continues to raise taxes on people and the private sector even during difficult economic times. On top of that, KE pols are some of the best compensated on earth, particularly if you look at salaries of MPs/Reps versus the per capita income in their countries.
All background for the fact she's flying first class is absurd given all of this and there's a decent chance she was "joking" but not really joking. KE Pols are some of the most entitled people in the world despite accomplishments that could be printed on a small business card in most cases with space left over.
Sounds like Kenya needs DOGE.
Quite an understatement, maybe a total 'reboot'. 'reset' or 'velvet' revolution is in order. But that could be said for the majority of countries on this planet, unfortunately....
It doesn't need a DOGE, it needs an enema.
No. Kenya doesn't need a ketamine addled sociopath firing needed people and then trying to hire them back. Or taking credit for ending programs that had already ended years ago. Or 'saving' dollars by ending relatively inexpensive programs that kept people alive. Oh and ending oversight on billions of dollars of grants and contracts with the head of DOGE.
Apparently Kenya already has inefficiency and waste. It doen't need more.