Kenya, July 1 -- A popular photo of Pauline Njoroge, a well-known digital strategist from Kenya and former supporter of ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta, has caused a lot of discussion online.
This is mainly because she openly supported Raila Odinga, who recently lost a bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
The photo, shared a lot on X (formerly Twitter) on June 29, 2025, has received mixed reactions. Some people are calling Njoroge a "traitor" for being seen with Rigathi Gachagua, who is a political opponent of Odinga.
Others are praising her as someone who brings people together in Kenya's complicated politics.
Pauline said, "I supported Baba Raila Odinga in 2022 because I genuinely believed he was the better candidate compared to Ruto, a position I still hold to this day.
"For those who have followed this page over the past decade, you know how passionate I have been about the African Union, an institution I have had the privilege to engage with over the years. With that background, I fully believed in Baba's vision for the African Union Commission (AUC), and I began championing his candidacy long before I was incorporated into his secretariat, well before it became a major national conversation.
"Today, Baba is working closely with the current administration. I, too, briefly engaged with the government through the office of someone I respect and one I consider to have a level of soberness.
"However, as time went on, my heart grew increasingly unsettled. The governance failures became too stark, and my conscience simply couldn't allow me to continue being part of that space. So, I stepped back."
Njoroge works as a communication officer for the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) and used to write for Azimio, a political group that supports Odinga.
She played an important role in Odinga's campaign for the AUC position, which he lost to Mahamoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti on February 15, 2025.
Despite her strong support for Odinga in the past, the photo with Gachagua, taken at a public event, has led some people to accuse her of changing sides.
Fans claimed she is a "spy" for Uhuru Kenyatta, trying to weaken Gachagua's support in the Mount Kenya area.
In response to the criticism, Njoroge spoke on X, saying she still supports Odinga but is open to talking to different political leaders, including Gachagua.
She also said she backs Dr Fred Matiang'i for the presidency in 2027, making it clear that she does not support President William Ruto's government.
This situation shows how quickly politics can change in Kenya. For instance, President Ruto recently teamed up with Odinga, which led to Gachagua's impeachment in October 2024.
The debate has started new conversations about Njoroge's loyalty in politics. Some people are recalling her past photos with Karanja Kibicho, a government official, which also raised questions about her political ties.
Supporters believe that her meeting with Gachagua is a smart move to connect different regions, especially in Mount Kenya, which is an important voting area.
However, critics think she is being opportunistic because she has previously criticised Gachagua's divisive comments.
As Kenya prepares for the 2027 elections, Njoroge's photo with Gachagua highlights the complex nature of loyalty and politics while keeping her in the spotlight of Kenya's political discussions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.