Comedian and digital creator Oga Obinna recently stirred debate online with his blunt take on the aftermath of Albert Ojwang’s tragic death. Albert, a popular blogger, died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody, a case that sparked national outrage. Many Kenyans rallied behind his family, offering emotional support and financial assistance in a collective cry for justice.
However, Obinna believes the tide of public support drastically shifted after Albert’s father, Meshack Opiyo, publicly expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for donating KSh 2 million and pledging to build the family a house. According to Obinna, this move alienated a large portion of Kenyans who had been sympathetic to the family’s plight, especially those who viewed the government as complicit in Albert’s death.
He argued that the public’s donations could have easily exceeded KSh 10 million had the family distanced themselves from government figures. Obinna claimed that Kenyans were deeply moved by the injustice and ready to give sacrificially. However, the moment the family aligned themselves with political leaders—particularly those perceived to be linked to the system responsible for Albert’s death—many contributors withdrew their support.
“If the family had refused the donation and stayed neutral or taken a strong stand for justice, they would’ve gotten even more from ordinary Kenyans,” Obinna remarked during his show, noting that such a symbolic act could have galvanized more intense public backing. He added that the public’s disillusionment grew further when Opiyo thanked the president on camera, a moment that, for many, signaled betrayal.
Obinna’s sentiments were echoed by numerous Kenyans online, who felt their collective efforts and emotional investment were invalidated by what they saw as premature gratitude toward a political establishment they were protesting against. Some netizens expressed disappointment, stating that the moment Albert’s father praised the president, the mood shifted drastically, and contributions slowed down.
Adding to the controversy, Obinna predicted that Albert’s funeral might not be peaceful. He warned of potential chaos arising from competing political interests. In his view, politicians would seize the event as an opportunity to promote their own agendas, possibly clashing with each other in the process and sidelining the family’s grief and mourning.
The tension also reached fellow comedian Eric Omondi, who had been at the forefront of raising funds for Albert’s family. Like Obinna, Eric felt let down by the family’s perceived shift in loyalty. Having actively mobilized resources from the public, he believed that publicly thanking the president was a setback to the grassroots movement for justice.
Many supporters echoed these sentiments, with some saying that instead of recognizing the efforts of the ordinary Kenyans who donated and protested, the family opted to thank government officials. This, they felt, undermined the essence of the people-driven movement that had formed around Albert’s case.
While Obinna acknowledged that every family has its reasons for accepting help, he maintained that timing and optics mattered. In his view, declining the presidential donation, at least publicly, could have preserved the overwhelming support and momentum behind their call for justice.
