Birthdays are those days when one gets to let loose and celebrate with family and close friends, but public figures are seldom accorded such a simplistic pass.
Well, Reverend Kathy Kiuna found out first hand just how harsh social media can get after she was lambasted for what were deemed to be 'over-the-top' celebrations.
Marking her 50th birthday on Sunday, her church faithful decided to surprise her by giving her a welcome fit for a Queen, a move that did not sit down well with netizens.
The red carpet welcome coupled with a vigorous welcome dance by a group of exuberant youth was enough for some to deem the entire debacle as a clear case of brainwashing.
However, speaking to a faithful who prefered anonymity, she made it clear that it was well within their rights to celebrate their spiritual leader, a celebration which they marked every year.
"Burgers surprising Kathy Kiuna while they surprised their own mothers or even went home visiting 5 years ago. Don't be brainwashed!" one Twitter user posted.
The Reverend at Jubilee Christian Church (JCC), walked into countless placards being held out by her congregants, celebrating her big day.
"God found the strongest woman and gave her to us for a mum. Happy birthday," read out one of the placards.
This rubbed some people off in the wrong way, prompting them to vent out their diverse opinions on Twitter.
"The church today has lost its meaning and its leaders are hypocrites and very immoral. Poor people are being brainwashed by the so-called church leaders," Britney Michelle posted.
A recurring theme amidst all the roasting, was that most seemed angered by the congregants referring to her as mum.
"Wengine hata hawajui birthdays za their real mothers, loosely translating to, some don't even know the birthdays of their real mothers," Wanjiru Wanjiru posted.
Here's the video of Rev Kathy Kiuna's welcome to church on her birthday, as well as a few reactions:
