A section of ODM leaders and youth activists are calling for the immediate repeal of a controversial law they say has emboldened police brutality and enabled the abductions and killings of young Kenyans, including the recent mysterious death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang, who was arrested in Homa Bay and later died in a Nairobi police station, has sparked outrage among political leaders and civil society groups, who accuse legislators of passing oppressive laws and later feigning concern.
ODM stalwart Betty Sharon condemned Parliament, accusing lawmakers of shedding “crocodile tears” after passing laws that erode civil liberties. “When Parliamentarians want to pass an act that favours them, they pass without blinking an eye. Then they come back and shed crocodile tears when it turns the tables on us,” said an agitated Sharon.
She added that the law, which criminalizes defamation, had previously been handled as a civil matter, but now gives room for harassment and unlawful detentions. Sharon also demanded the redirection of the Ksh.100 million allocated in the 2025/26 budget for spyware to other critical sectors, warning it would worsen surveillance and privacy violations.
Oginga Randiki echoed the call for repeal, stating the law had opened floodgates for arbitrary arrests of youths and bloggers. “It’s not fair for MPs to pretend to mourn with us while they passed the very law that kills our people,” he said.
Youth leader Samson Okute called for the resignation of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, arguing that justice for Ojwang cannot be served under his leadership.
Activists Lenny Oguna and Raphael Wakaya called on the government to end abductions, gender violence, and intimidation, praising the media for its objective coverage of Ojwang’s death.