By Brenda Muriithi
In the wake of the controversial death of blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang while in police custody, the anger of Kenyan netizens has found a new outlet — the personal phone number of a senior police officer allegedly linked to the case.
In typical Kenyan fashion, thousands of internet users have taken to social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, to “send greetings” to the embattled officer in a storm of digital defiance. The phrase — often used sarcastically online — became a code for unleashing messages ranging from mockery and outrage to direct demands for justice.
Viral Messages and Public Mockery
Screenshots of the WhatsApp messages began circulating widely on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Some users sent as little as KSh 1 via mobile money, just to confirm the number’s authenticity, before unleashing strings of messages — some profane, others pointedly inquisitive.
“Why did Ojwang have to die over a tweet?” one message read. Another user asked bluntly, “Do you sleep well knowing what happened?”
While some messages showed raw fury, others were eerily calm, reflecting a growing public demand for transparency and accountability from the police service.
Officer’s Son Dragged Into Backlash
As the situation escalated, the officer’s son — a student — became collateral damage in the unfolding saga. Online users unearthed and widely circulated his national ID and school identification documents, thrusting him into a controversy not of his own making.
While a few voices of reason urged restraint and expressed empathy for the young man, the majority of comments were harsh and unforgiving — linking him by association to his father's alleged misconduct.
“Dragging the son into this is wrong. Let’s fight for justice, not create new victims,” one user pleaded. But others were less sympathetic, with some posting photos of the student accompanied by hostile remarks.
Legal Experts Warn of Cyber Harassment
Digital rights experts have now stepped in to caution the public against crossing legal boundaries. Cybercrime law specialist Lucy Sagana warned that such actions could themselves be prosecutable.
“Leaking someone’s number and sending insults may be seen as cyberbullying or harassment under Kenyan law,” Sagana explained. “Offenders could face fines or imprisonment under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.”
Despite the legal risks, online outrage continues to swell as pressure mounts on authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s arrest and subsequent death.
Mounting National Pressure
Ojwang was arrested in Kakot, Homa Bay County, for allegedly making a derogatory social media post. He was later transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he died under suspicious circumstances. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since confirmed that preliminary evidence suggests torture and foul play, and has launched a probe.
President William Ruto publicly acknowledged that Ojwang died “at the hands of the police,” sparking demands for swift justice and police reform.
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