Eric Omondi has shared that Kenyans rallied together and contributed an estimated KSh 10 million to support the family of Albert Ojwang, the young blogger who died in police custody. This outpouring of support was part of a fundraiser initiated by Eric through his Sisi Kwa Sisi campaign, aimed at helping families affected by injustice.
The momentum was fast—within just a day of posting a video featuring Albert’s father, Kenyans had already raised KSh 2.6 million. Eric later revealed that donations continued to stream in beyond that, pushing the estimated total close to the KSh 10 million mark. He emphasized that he hadn’t even counted the money already in the bank, noting that contributions were still being sent.
While the support was overwhelming and demonstrated the unity of Kenyans in times of grief and injustice, the campaign took an unexpected turn when Albert’s father, Meshack Opiyo, publicly expressed gratitude to President William Ruto. This act stirred controversy, especially given that the death had occurred in the custody of a government agency, raising questions about police brutality and state accountability.
Eric openly admitted that he felt betrayed by the father’s gesture. According to him, the recognition of a government figure in the middle of a fight against the very systems allegedly responsible for Albert’s death weakened the cause. He said it felt like taking several steps forward in the fight for justice, only to fall back even further. In his view, acknowledging government support at such a critical time sent the wrong message, particularly when another person had already been shot just a week later.
Public reactions to the video were mixed. While some sympathized with Meshack and defended his right to receive help regardless of the source, others were disappointed by what they viewed as a contradiction. Some people were angered that, after receiving overwhelming support from ordinary Kenyans, he would seemingly side with the political establishment that many hold responsible for similar injustices.
Opinions ranged from frustration to empathy. Some noted that while taking the money was understandable given the financial hardship, praising government figures crossed a line. Others argued that help is help, regardless of who it comes from—even if the donors included those potentially connected to the injustice. A few urged critics to let the grieving father mourn in peace and avoid politicizing his choices.
However, complications soon arose around the money itself. Albert’s family later claimed that a significant portion of the funds had disappeared under unclear circumstances. According to his uncle, when Meshack tried to access the donations via his M-Pesa account, he was unable to do so because he lacked an ID. Upon seeking help, he discovered that not only had his personal balance vanished, but more than KSh 500,000 had also been withdrawn by unknown individuals.
This revelation has added another layer of tragedy to the already painful situation, with questions now being raised about financial accountability and whether the family was scammed after Kenyans gave generously. The incident has left many hoping for a thorough investigation—and justice, not only for Albert but for the goodwill of Kenyans who united in support.
