Passaris Responds to Online Backlash After Mistakenly Naming Former Police IG in Comment on Albert Ojwang’s Death
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has come forward to apologise after making an error on social media while commenting on the controversial death of popular blogger and influencer Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang, who was 31 years old, passed away under unclear circumstances while in police custody at the Nairobi Central Police Station on June 8, 2025. His death sparked widespread public concern and online outrage, with many demanding accountability and transparency from the police.
On June 9, Passaris made a post on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, praising the Inspector General of Police for taking swift action.
She acknowledged the suspension of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and all officers who were on duty at the time Ojwang was detained. However, in her message, she mistakenly referred to former Inspector General Japhet Koome instead of the current IG, Douglas Kanja.
“I commend Inspector General Japhet Koome for acting swiftly by suspending the OCS, the duty officer, and all officers who were on duty during the tragic death of Albert Ojwang at Central Police Station,” read the post before it was corrected.
The mix-up quickly drew sharp criticism online, with social media users questioning how a public official could confuse the name of a top government figure, especially during such a serious matter.
On Tuesday, June 10, Passaris addressed the backlash by issuing a clarification. She admitted the mistake and offered an explanation, pointing out that her young social media team had made the error while she was engaged in other responsibilities.
She attributed the blunder to a combination of factors: a busy schedule during the African Public Service Day (APSD) caravan tour in Nairobi, and a slow transition back to work after the Eid-ul-Adha holiday on Friday.
“Just a gentle reminder — even Members of Parliament have social media teams, and just like everyone else, we’re not immune to occasional slip-ups,” Passaris said in her statement.
She went on to explain that the error occurred while she was multitasking, and her team made the mistake during the final edits of her post.
Adding a touch of humour to lighten the situation, Passaris reminded the public of her age, saying, “I’m 60! Sometimes I even forget my own sisters’ names, so I can understand how a young.
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