Gilgil Member of Parliament Martha Wangari has strongly condemned what she describes as the killing of Kenyan youth for expressing their opinions about the government on social media.
Speaking on Sunday in Karunga, Wangari emphasized that leaders in public office must be prepared to face criticism and should resign if they cannot withstand public scrutiny.
“It is unrealistic for leaders to expect everyone to support or agree with them,” she said. “I have faced insults and criticism here in Gilgil many times, but I have never taken anyone to court over it. Pursuing legal battles over criticism only wastes time. Instead, I embrace feedback because it helps improve leadership.”
Wangari urged public servants to develop resilience, saying recent reports of young people being harmed or killed for expressing their views are deeply alarming.
“We cannot continue witnessing families, especially mothers, mourning their children because they dared to speak their minds. It is unjust and unacceptable,” she added.
The MP revealed that the National Assembly has already summoned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to answer questions regarding the recent wave of extra-judicial killings and intimidation of citizens for criticizing the government online.
While firmly defending freedom of expression, Wangari also called on the youth to exercise responsibility and caution in their online activities.
One of the most recent incidents involves the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody on June 8 after being arrested over an alleged derogatory post targeting Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. An autopsy revealed Ojwang’ likely died from torture inflicted by law enforcement officers, contrary to initial police claims that he died by suicide.
Meanwhile, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi has taken a different stance, criticizing the youth for misusing social media. Elachi has suggested constitutional amendments to regulate online platforms, arguing that some young people have turned spaces like X and Facebook into avenues for bullying, not only targeting politicians but also fellow citizens — an abuse, she says, of the right to free expression.
