The family of slain blogger Albert Ojwang has poured cold water on comedian Eric Omondi’s claim that Kenyans have so far raised “about KSh 10 million” for funeral and legal costs.
Speaking on the Obinna YouTube show, family spokesperson Kenneth Ouma said all contributions feed into one joint pay-bill account managed by the family and two trustees. “We have a central account where all donations are channelled. As of yesterday we were at KSh 2.06 million from the public. When you add President William Ruto’s KSh 2 million and Raila Odinga’s KSh 1 million, the account is about KSh 5.6 million,” Ouma explained.
Ouma added that Omondi’s bigger figure was “just an assumption,” insisting every cent can be traced. He also warned well-wishers about a fake pay-bill number circulating online that mimics the comedian’s fundraiser.
Meanwhile, the family is still grappling with a separate setback after Meshack Opiyo, Ojwang’s father, reported losing money when his SIM card was swapped in Nairobi; police are investigating the fraud.
Ouma stressed that the family remains grateful for every donation, big or small. “We checked Eric’s pay-bill; it actually routes to our official account. The problem is a pseudo account impersonating him,” he said.
Omondi, who has led the drive against police brutality, had earlier suggested the family’s new financial footing undermined the wider justice campaign. The family disagrees. “Albert’s fight was bigger than money,” Ouma noted, urging Kenyans to stay focused on accountability for deaths in police custody.
With the burial set for later this week in Homa Bay County, relatives say they will publish an itemised expenditure report once all bills are settled. In the meantime, they are asking supporters to use only the verified pay-bill shared on the family’s official social media pages.
