Comedian and activist Eric Omondi has addressed concerns surrounding the paybill number he set up for the family of Albert Ojwang, a man who died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody. Speaking during an interview on Nation FM, Omondi clarified the decision to open a new paybill account, emphasizing transparency and accountability in the ongoing fundraising effort.
According to Omondi, contributions from Kenyans poured in rapidly after he posted about Ojwang’s death on social media. However, the mobile money accounts linked to Ojwang’s wife and mother quickly reached their daily transaction limits, prompting the need for a more sustainable solution.
“Six minutes after I posted, the phone could not receive any more money. It was full. I gave the wife’s number, it got full, the mother’s was the same,” he explained.
To address the issue, Omondi facilitated the creation of a paybill account with three signatories: Ojwang’s mother, wife, and an uncle. He noted that Ojwang’s father could not be included as a signatory due to the lack of an identity card.
Omondi also explained that a separate paybill had been set up by others, but after conducting due diligence, he discovered that none of Ojwang’s immediate family members were listed as signatories. For that reason, he opted not to use it.
“In our Sisi kwa Sisi drives, our principle is that money must go directly to the victim or their immediate family. The other paybill lacked a family member as a signatory, and for accountability, I declined to use it,” Omondi stated.
His decision sparked mixed reactions online, with some accusing him of undermining other efforts. However, Omondi maintained that his actions were guided by integrity, and he is committed to maintaining transparency.
“There are ongoing issues within the family, which are sensitive. They’re still mourning, and we pray that they will resolve them soon,” he said.
Omondi added that he will continue to work closely with the family to balance the books and ensure that the funds raised reach the intended beneficiaries.
