Public Fury Over Police Father’s Day Post After Death of Albert Ojwang
Sunday, June 16, marks the third Sunday of June—a day when people across the world come together to celebrate and honour fathers.
In Kenya, as is the tradition, many government institutions began the day by posting Father’s Day messages on social media, aiming to show appreciation for dads across the country.
Among the first to share a post was the National Police Service (NPS), which at around 5:45 a.m. posted a Father’s Day message. The post was simple, with no caption or emotional message to accompany it.
However, what was meant to be a goodwill gesture quickly triggered a wave of anger and criticism. Kenyans were quick to respond, expressing their outrage over the recent death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody.
Many saw the NPS post as hypocritical and insensitive, especially considering that Ojwang was a father himself and also the only child of his father.
In the replies, social media users reminded the police that Father’s Day is far from happy for the family of Albert Ojwang.
One user pointed out, “It is not a happy Father’s Day for Baba Albert Ojwang and Albert’s son.” Another commented, “He was also someone’s father,” while sharing an image of the late teacher.
One user summed up the general mood by asking, “What’s so happy about Father’s Day when you are making children fatherless?”
In less than an hour, the comment section beneath the police post had turned into an online memorial for Ojwang.
Kenyans poured their grief and frustration into the thread, turning it into a space to honour the young father who died under controversial circumstances at Central Police Station the previous weekend.
The backlash exposed a deep and long-standing distrust between the public and the police. One X (formerly Twitter) user pointedly stated that the situation has become so bad that even the children of police officers feel ashamed to talk about their parents’ profession.
“The mistrust is so serious that children of police officers hesitate before saying what their parents do. It’s not like saying your father is a pilot, a doctor, an engineer, or even a plant operator,” they wrote.
Well-known activist and writer Hanifa Adan, who pens a regular column in the Daily Nation, used her platform to highlight Ojwang’s death.
Her Father’s Day article, titled “Father’s Day Without a Son: Tears for Albert Ojwang,” was a moving tribute to the young man and a strong call for justice.
The outrage didn’t stop at the police. On the same platform, Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto, found herself under fire after she shared a heartfelt post celebrating her father on Father’s Day.
What was meant to be a personal tribute quickly turned into another outlet for Kenyans to express their grief and anger over Albert Ojwang’s death.
One of the top comments under Charlene’s post read: “At least you get to celebrate your father this Father’s Day. Albert would have loved that too—to sit with his dad, share a meal, laugh together.
But the people who killed him decided they had the power to choose who gets to live and who doesn’t.”
Another critic addressed Charlene’s public persona, saying, “You call yourself a youth leader, yet you’ve been completely silent about Albert’s death.
A young man was murdered. As for your father… I won’t even go there. Just tell him Kenyans have spoken—he’s officially a ‘Wantam’.”
The term “Wantam” is a slang expression used by Kenyan youth to criticize someone who is out of touch or disappointing.
This year’s Father’s Day in Kenya, rather than being a day of celebration, became a painful reminder for many families of the injustice and tragedy they continue to face—especially in cases where those meant to protect them are accused of doing the opposite.
The reactions on social media reflect a nation that is grieving, frustrated, and demanding accountability.
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