Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has issued a public apology after she mistakenly mentioned the wrong Inspector General of Police in a social media post regarding the controversial death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang, a 31-year-old digital activist, tragically died while in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station on June 8, 2025, under circumstances that have since drawn widespread concern and sparked calls for justice.
Tweet Sparks Criticism
On June 9, Passaris took to her official X account (formerly Twitter) to comment on the situation, where she praised the Inspector General for taking swift action by suspending the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and the officers who were on duty during the time of Ojwang’s detention.
However, in the post, she mistakenly referred to former Inspector General Japhet Koome instead of the current police boss, 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,” the now-corrected tweet had stated.
This error sparked online criticism, with many Kenyans on social media questioning how a sitting Member of Parliament could confuse the identity of such a senior government official, especially during such a sensitive moment.
Passaris Explains the Mistake
On Tuesday, June 10, Passaris addressed the backlash, saying that the mistake was not deliberate. She clarified that the mix-up occurred during the editing of the post and pointed out that she, like many public figures, has a social media team that assists in managing her online communication.
She attributed the error to a combination of factors, including multitasking, a busy schedule, and the slow return to routine after the Eid-ul-Adha holiday, which was observed the previous Friday.
“Just a gentle reminder that even Members of Parliament have social media teams, and like everyone else, we sometimes make honest mistakes,” Passaris wrote.
“Yesterday, while I was participating in the APSD caravan tour of Nairobi, a bit of multitasking led to a mix-up during the final edits of my statement.”
A Light-hearted Defense
Passaris also took a humorous tone to ease the tension around the matter. She noted that even at her age, it’s easy to forget names, and such errors can be forgiven—especially when made by younger members of her staff.
“I’m 60 years old! Sometimes I even forget my own sisters’ names, so I can’t be too hard on my younger staff,” she joked.
Quoting a Swahili proverb to drive her point home, she added, “As one of my colleagues once said, ‘Yalipo ndwele sipite’”—meaning, “Don’t ignore what needs to be addressed.”
Despite the online misstep, Passaris reaffirmed her commitment to seeking justice for Albert Ojwang and supporting efforts to ensure that police are held accountable for his death. Her clarification comes at a time when public outrage continues to grow over the tragic incident and the broader issue of police brutality in Kenya.
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