In just 11 minutes, Kenyans came together to raise more than Ksh500,000 for Albert Ojwang’s grieving father—an overwhelming act of generosity that, quite literally, broke the system.
Mr Ojwang’s father, whose son recently passed away under tragic circumstances, was forced to change his mobile phone number after the flood of donations exceeded his mobile money transaction limits.
The dramatic fundraising effort was led by comedian and activist Eric Omondi, who shared Mr Ojwang’s story in a heartfelt video appeal.
“We were not expecting that kind of response,” Omondi said. “The money just kept coming in, and we quickly realised we had passed the daily limit. We had to act fast.”
The father, visibly emotional, thanked Kenyans for their support. “I don’t know how to say thank you. You have helped me more than I can explain,” he said, standing beside Omondi during the recorded video.
Albert Ojwang’s story first gained attention after social media users shared his case, demanding justice and assistance for the family. The nature of the tragedy has not been fully disclosed, but it sparked a wave of public sympathy.
According to Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecom provider, the standard daily limit for mobile money transfers is Ksh500,000—a threshold that was hit in record time.
Financial expert David Ochieng told The Standard that such events show “the incredible power of digital giving,” especially in a country where mobile money plays a key role in both personal and community finance.
Still, the quick overflow posed unexpected challenges. “When the account hits the limit, further transactions are blocked until the next cycle,” Ochieng explained. “The workaround, in this case, was setting up a second number.”
Some critics have questioned whether relying on personal numbers for public fundraising is sustainable or secure. Others argue that in emergencies, it is the most direct route to help.
For now, what stands out is the speed and scale of public generosity.
“It gives me hope,” Omondi said. “We may argue online and complain, but when one of us is in pain, we show up.”
This story of national unity is still unfolding, and many continue to send their support.
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