Comedian and activist Eric Omondi has revealed that Kenyans rallied together to raise an estimated KSh 10 million for the family of the late blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances. The funds were raised through Eric’s Sisi Kwa Sisi Initiative, a community-driven platform he used to mobilise public support after meeting Ojwang’s father, Meshack Opiyo, at Chiromo Mortuary.
According to Eric, the initial wave of donations hit KSh 2.6 million within 24 hours of launching the campaign, and contributions continued to pour in. In a recent video, he stated, “We are roughly at maybe KSh 10 million. People are still sending money. That KSh 2.6 million was achieved on the day I posted Albert’s father.”
Despite the public goodwill and support, the comedian expressed deep disappointment after Ojwang’s father was seen thanking President William Ruto for financial help. Eric said he felt betrayed by what he perceived as a contradiction of the cause they were fighting for — justice for victims of police brutality.
“I was betrayed. I was disappointed. I was angered because we lost a brother, and he lost a son in the hands of a government agency,” Eric said. “We are fighting a cause. Just a week later, someone else had been shot. It undermined our cause. A government that can’t protect human life can’t be the same one you thank after the fact. We moved five steps ahead and then 20 steps backward.”
Eric’s comments quickly sparked a fierce debate online, with mixed reactions from Kenyans. Some sympathised with him, while others were more understanding of the father’s actions. One user wrote, “I don’t blame him for taking the money, but it’s him praising the government for the bare minimum that annoys me.” Another added, “That father chose money over justice for his son… so sad. Anyway, pia me ningechagua pesa, nimesota.” Others stood firmly by Eric, with one user declaring, “Eric Omondi for president.”
Adding to the controversy, Ojwang’s family recently claimed that some of the funds raised have mysteriously gone missing. According to Albert’s uncle, Polycarp Odhiambo, large sums of money were withdrawn from Meshack Opiyo’s M-Pesa account by unknown individuals. In a video shared by YouTuber Clinton Chirangah Shim, Odhiambo explained that the father had difficulties accessing the funds due to not having an ID. When he approached Safaricom for assistance, they reportedly found that even his personal balance of KSh 17,000 had been wiped out. Upon reviewing the account, over KSh 500,000 had allegedly been withdrawn by individuals they could not identify.
The incident has raised serious questions about the transparency of handling donations and the risks vulnerable families face even when help is pouring in from the public. While the exact circumstances remain under investigation, what started as a powerful act of national solidarity is now mired in mistrust and mixed emotions.
Eric Omondi, who has become a strong voice against injustice and government failure, says the fight will continue. However, he also acknowledged the emotional weight of watching the momentum of a national cause unravel in a matter of days. “We are not just mourning Albert. We are fighting for every Kenyan who may suffer the same fate tomorrow,” he said.
Despite the setbacks, Eric’s initiative has once again highlighted the power of ordinary Kenyans to stand up for one another — and the complex realities that follow when justice, politics, and poverty intersect.
