Embu Senate aspirant and youth activist Billy Mwangi’s X (formerly Twitter) account was suspended on Monday, hours after criticising Meshack Ojwang, the father of the late blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
Mwangi, who was thrust to fame after his abduction in 2024, took to the platform to question Meshack’s recent public remarks praising President William Ruto. This followed the President’s phone call to the Ojwang family and a Ksh2 million donation made to support burial arrangements.
“Albert died in police custody under suspicious circumstances,” Mwangi wrote in the now-unavailable post.
“Accepting money from the same regime without demanding justice dishonours his legacy.”
Mwangi also shared Mzee Ojwang’s phone number and invited Kenyans online to send him messages to show disapproval of his acceptance of Ruto’s donation. His move, however, elicited mixed reactions as some Kenyans called him out.
Public reaction after Billy Mwangi’s account was suspended
Hours after the post, screenshots of his suspended account were shared by several users, including political commentator Wuodnyakach_ and blogger Bernard Kavuli, both of whom condemned the suspension as an attack on digital activism.
Others, however, criticised him for speaking ill of the late Ojwang’s father, who had no option of rejecting the president’s contribution.
“Receiving the cash during this difficult time isn’t a problem; it can aid in planning a good send-off,” said @Onwerejuniour.
“It’s true these people were not pained by Albert’s death; they just wanted to use it to advance their political agenda as an excuse for demonstration,” added another user, @steve Ogai.
The online dispute follows remarks by Meshack Ojwang during a burial planning meeting, where he expressed appreciation to President Ruto for what he termed a “fatherly gesture”.
“The President spoke to me like a father to a father. He assured me of support and treated my son as though he were his own,” he said.
Billy Mwangi, who announced his intention to contest the Embu Senate seat earlier this year, previously made headlines after unidentified armed men abducted him.
The incident sparked public protests and calls for investigations into the rising cases of enforced disappearances targeting activists.
Also Read: Sakaja Gives Albert Ojwang’s Widow a Job in Govt
Earlier contributions to Ojwang’s family
In addition to the President’s donation, Azimio leader Raila Odinga also contributed Ksh1 million to the family. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said the county government would build a house for the family and ensure the home was connected to electricity.
Albert Ojwang, who died in Nairobi Central Police Station custody on June 8, had been arrested days earlier over an alleged online post against the Deputy Inspector General, Eliud Lagat. His death sparked protests in Nairobi, Homa Bay, and online under the hashtag #JusticeForAlbert.
Mwangi’s suspension has triggered criticism from some of his supporters, with calls for the reinstatement of his account and protection of activists’ voices online.
Also Read: Constable Mukhwana Exposes DIG Lagat’s Role in Albert Ojwang’s Death
“I’m writing on behalf of Mr. Billy Mwangi to have his account reinstated. He’s sorry for any rules that he might’ve violated,” said @BenardKavuli.
As of June 17, Tuesday morning, the account remained inaccessible, and X had not issued an official statement regarding the action.
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