A new controversy has emerged in the wake of the tragic death of blogger Albert Ojwang, this time involving confusion around M-Pesa contribution numbers and a fallout between two public figures trying to help.
Hanifa, one of the key voices who rallied support online, has accused comedian Eric Omondi of mishandling efforts to streamline contributions.
In a post shared on her social media, Hanifa revealed that she attempted to coordinate with the comedian to centralize fundraising for Ojwang’s grieving family but claims, “It didn’t go well.”
This comes days after the family announced that two M-Pesa lines initially set up to receive support had filled up due to overwhelming donations from Kenyans.
The situation prompted the launch of an official Paybill number, but not without drama.
Supporters and well-wishers were left confused, unsure of which number to send their contributions to, sparking speculation that the disorganization might affect the family’s ability to access needed funds quickly.
Eric Omondi has yet to respond directly to the allegations, but some of his fans have defended him, saying he has always used his platform for good causes.
Others, however, have called for celebrities to work together rather than create parallel channels during times of grief.
Albert Ojwang, a Homa Bay-based blogger, died in police custody after being arrested over a controversial online post. His mysterious death has triggered national outrage and calls for police accountability, as well as increased scrutiny on how fundraising efforts for victims’ families are handled.
As emotions run high, the focus remains on ensuring Ojwang’s family receives the support they need — even as the debate over who is to blame for the Paybill confusion continues to unfold online.
By Kenyans