The family of the late teacher-cum-blogger Albert Ojwang has stepped forward to address the swirling rumors and clear the air regarding the public contributions received following his untimely demise.
In a move aimed at transparency, a family spokesperson provided a detailed account of the funds collected, while also defending comedian Eric Omondi against claims of having been quoted saying that people’s contributions have reached a substantial 10 million shillings.
Speaking at Oga Obinna’s podcast, the family spokespeople led by Kenneth Ouma laid bare everything from the accounts and the money they have collected so far.
The Official Account and Total Contributions
The family confirmed that an official account and a pay bill were urgently set up the day after Albert Ojwang's autopsy. They clarified that while multiple pay bills circulated, including one initiated by Eric Omondi, their official family pay bill and the one that Eric shared both terminate into one central, official family account, ensuring no conflict or confusion.
As of the latest update, the spokesperson confirmed that the official family account currently holds approximately 2.06 million Kenyan Shillings, explicitly stating that they don't have 10 million. This amount, they clarified, includes all contributions received from the general public, as well as significant donations from dignitaries, including the President.
“So as we speak I can confirm to you that we don't have 10 million. We have about 2.06 million in this account that is official," the spokesperson confirmed.
Defending Eric Omondi and Debunking the 10 Million Claim
The family spokesperson also took the opportunity to defend comedian Eric Omondi, whose name became associated with a much larger, unconfirmed figure.
"Eric did not say that there's 10 million unless I saw a different video. He was assuming that if Today there are about 500 people, now we could be having 10 million," the spokesperson clarified.
This statement refutes the notion that Omondi claimed the family had received 10 million shillings from the contribution, emphasizing it was a hypothetical scenario rather than a statement of fact.
The family also acknowledged the existence of a fake pay bill that was falsely associated with Eric Omondi's account, urging the public to be vigilant.
Transparency and Accountability: Who Controls the Funds?
To ensure absolute transparency and quell any fears of misuse, the family detailed the strict controls in place for the official account. The signatories to this account are Albert Ojwang's wife, his mother, and the spokesperson themselves. Crucially, no single individual can withdraw money independently; any withdrawal requires the co-signature of either the wife or the mother.
"There's no harm, there's no danger of unless I collide with the mother or with the wife and that cannot make sense," the spokesperson assured.
Furthermore, the family confirmed that "all the money is intact" and none of the received funds have been spent yet, not even for immediate household needs or vendors.
Albert Ojwang tragically passed away in an unclear circumstance in police custody, which led to a widespread outpouring of grief and support from the public. Following his death, Eric Omondi, through his popular "Sisi kwa Sisi" initiative, galvanized Kenyans to contribute towards Ojwang's funeral expenses and support his family.
This initiative is known for leveraging Omondi's significant social media presence to rally financial assistance for individuals in need, particularly within the entertainment community. Public fundraising efforts, while often successful, can, unfortunately, become targets for scammers, leading to allegations of swindling or confusion over multiple collection points, which necessitated the family's public clarification.
The family expressed immense gratitude for the public's goodwill and contributions during their difficult time. Their transparent briefing aims to build trust and ensure that all donations are accounted for and utilized responsibly for Albert Ojwang's final rites and the well-being of his bereaved family.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!