Karen Nyamu apologises after backlash over comments on Albert Ojwang's death

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has issued an apology following intense backlash from netizens over her remarks on the death of Albert Ojwang.

Taking to social media, Nyamu retracted her earlier comments, where she had subtly cast blame on the opposition and quietly hinted at a self-abduction. 

“I don’t apologize or retract often, not out of pride, but because I believe I have room to make mistakes and to be wrong sometimes,” she wrote.

“But let’s be clear, I never said the gentleman abducted himself. Check my words. What I did say was that the opposition has staged scenes before, and that it’s not far-fetched to imagine they could use compromised police to create another scene to achieve what is your guess and mine,” she added.

Despite her clarification, netizens criticized Nyamu's response, accusing her of deflecting responsibility.

Peter Maena commented, “With respect, this sounds more like saving face than taking responsibility. You may not have said he abducted himself, but you cast doubt when support was needed most.”

Alexie added, “Words are like eggs. Once said, can't be unsaid... Just like once eggs break, nothing can undo the breaking. Whatever you said yesterday will remain like an arrow piercing through a man's heart. We will not forget.”

The senator had earlier shared a controversial post featuring a photo of the late Ojwang, which many online deemed distasteful.

“We have seen shameless self-abductions to set the people against their government, and it is not lost on us what this desperate bitter opposition is capable of just to make the government look bad. But aki ya Mungu, every blood you shed you shall pay for it in your lifetime,” part of her original caption read.

The post sparked more questions and criticism.

Jimmy Ogutu asked, “Do you mean that opposition took the man from police custody and killed him to later frame the government?”

Hillary Makodeny weighed in, “So opposition can arrest someone from Homabay hadi CPS?”

Wanja Mwaura added, “Was it necessary to bring politics in such a sensitive heartbreaking matter? Maneno ya Opposition na self abduction zimetokea wapi kwa hii story ya Albert? Afadhali ungenyamaza tu.”

Albert Ojwang, a teacher and social media influencer, died on Sunday while in police custody at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.

Police initially claimed that Ojwang "sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall."

However, his family’s lawyer, Julius Juma, disputed the report, stating that the body showed signs of extensive physical trauma inconsistent with a single impact. 

According to Juma, Ojwang had visible swelling on the head, nose, ears, shoulders, and hands.

The incident has sparked public outrage, with mounting pressure on the police as human rights groups and political leaders demand swift investigations and accountability.