It is officially the third Sunday of June, the day set aside to celebrate fathers worldwide. True to form, several government institutions have already started celebrating Father's Day through sentimental posters on social media.
Leading the pack at quarter to 6am was the National Police Service (NPS), which took to social media to celebrate fathers in a simple Father's Day post, unaccompanied by any sentimental caption.
However, the stealth post did not escape Kenyans' attention, as they came out of the woodwork early Sunday morning to criticise the institution's recent miscarriage of justice that left a father childless and a child fatherless.
In a series of replies, Kenyans reminded the police service of the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in custody, who was the only child of his father.
"It is not a happy Father's Day for Baba Albert Ojwang and Albert's son," one such user stated, followed by another one, writing, "he was also someone's father," with an image of Ojwang.
"What is happy about Father's Day when you are making children fatherless?" another quipped.
Within the hour, the comment section turned into a tribute to Albert Ojwang, who left behind an infant son and a heartbroken father after his death at Central Police Station last weekend.
The post highlighted the mistrust that has festered between the police and civilians, a sentiment that was captured by one X user, asserting that even police officers' children now feel ashamed of their parents' professions.
"The mistrust between the public and police makes your children think twice before introducing themselves to peers as the offspring of policemen. It is not as simple as introducing oneself as "my father is a pilot, doctor, engineer or plant operator'," the user wrote.
Activist Hanifa Adan, who currently writes for the Daily Nation, even dedicated her weekly column to commemorating Ojwang with her article titled "Father's Day Without a Son: Tears for Albert Ojwang."
In the same X streets, the first daughter, Charlene Ruto, received a fair share of criticism after posting about her father, President William Ruto, celebrating him on the special day.
As expected, Kenyans laid out their complaints about the president in her comments section, also reflecting on Ojwang's death.
"At least you get to celebrate your father this Father’s Day. Albert would have loved to do the same, to sit with his dad, laugh, and share a meal, but those who murdered him felt so powerful, so untouchable, they played God, deciding who lives and who dies," one of the top comments read.
"You’ve been parading yourself as a youth leader, yet you’ve said nothing about Albert’s death. A young man was killed. As for your father... I won’t even go there. The mere thought of his name boils my blood! Just let him know that Kenyans have unanimously endorsed his Wantam!"
