Kenyan social media star 2Mbili, real name John Mbili, has vehemently denied accusations by former police spokesperson Charles Owino that he led a mob to torch Mawego Police Station.
The incident occurred on 3rd July 2025, during the funeral procession of slain blogger Albert Ojwang in Homa Bay County.
Owino, in a recent interview, explicitly pointed the finger at 2Mbili, claiming he incited Gen Z protesters to seize Ojwang’s body and set the station ablaze, escalating tensions over the blogger’s death in police custody on 7th June.
“There was incitement by Mr. 2Mbili, leading youths to grab the body and torch the station,” Owino asserted. “Who protects that village when they leave?”
Emotions ran high as protesters, demanding justice for Ojwang, stormed the station where he was allegedly held before his transfer to Nairobi Central Police Station.
Videos shared by 2Mbili on social media captured the crowd chanting and marching with the casket, which was draped in Kenyan and Manchester United flags. Soon after, the station was engulfed in flames, with officers reportedly standing by helplessly.
2Mbili responded on Instagram, posting a clip of Owino’s interview with a sarcastic caption: “Mzee ameamua kunipeana tu hivo? (Has the old man just decided to hand me over like that?).”
His light-hearted jab amused fans but notably sidestepped directly addressing the serious allegations.
Investigation Underway Amidst Divided Public Opinion
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is currently investigating Ojwang’s death, with two officers detained and 20 others questioned. Public outrage has been further fuelled by an autopsy revealing torture.
Kenyans on X have voiced sharply divided reactions regarding 2Mbili's role:
@HomaBayVoice: “2Mbili’s just amplifying the truth! Gen Z was angry for a reason. #JusticeForOjwang”
@NairobiStar: “He didn’t torch anything. He’s a voice for the youth, not a criminal.”
@TruthSeekerKE: “2Mbili’s videos stirred the crowd. He’s not blameless in this chaos.”
@Skeptic254: “Owino’s scapegoating influencers to dodge police accountability.”
The incident at Mawego ties into broader unrest, including the 17th June shooting of Boniface Kariuki during related protests. Public mourning, as seen at Ojwang’s 4th July burial, has further strained Homa Bay.
Some, like @Justice4AllKE, argue the station’s torching was a desperate cry against police brutality, while others, like @KenyaCynic, warn such actions harm local security.
Under Kenya’s Public Finance Management Act, rebuilding the station could cost taxpayers KSh 10–20 million, adding fuel to the ongoing debate.
Burial Depth Context Adds Another Layer of Debate
Ojwang’s burial sparked additional debate over his grave’s unusually shallow depth, estimated by netizens at three to four feet, contrasting with Kenya’s standard 6x4 feet, mandated by the Public Health Act for health and cultural reasons.
Some attributed this to the family’s emotional exhaustion or local traditions avoiding cemented graves, as noted by @TaliaRose on X.
This controversy underscores the intersection of grief, public action, and cultural norms in Kenya’s ongoing justice movement.
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