'Take criticism or quit,' MP Wangari tells gov’t officials bemoaning social media backlash

Gilgil Member of Parliament Martha Wangari has condemned what she calls the killing of Kenyan youth for expressing their opinions about the government through social media. 

Speaking in Karunga on Sunday, Wangari said individuals holding public office must be open to criticism and should be willing to step down if they are unable to handle public scrutiny.

She termed it unrealistic for public office holders to expect everyone to support or agree with them. 

“I have faced insults and criticism on numerous occasions in Gilgil but chosen not to take legal action because pursuing court cases over criticism will only waste time,” she said. “Instead, I choose to remain open to feedback because that criticism leads to better leadership.”

According to the MP, public servants should develop a thick skin.

“Recent reports of people, particularly youth, being harmed or killed for speaking their minds are concerning. We cannot continue to witness women mourning the loss of their children in such tragic and unjust circumstances,” said Wangari.

She said the National Assembly has already summoned the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, to explain the recent spate of extra-judicial killings and victimization of Kenyans for sharing social media posts critical to the government.

While defending the right to free expression, the MP also urged the youth to exercise responsibility and sensitivity in their online posts. 

The most recent such case is the June 8 death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’ in police custody after his arrest over a purported derogatory post against the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Eliud Lagat. An autopsy revealed that Ojwang' likely died from torture by law enforcement officers, despite their earlier claims that he died by suicide.

Among the legislators who have criticized the youth over social media use is Wangari’s Dagoretti North counterpart Beatrice Elachi, who has hinted at plans to amend the Constitution to better govern social media use in Kenya.

She says Kenyans, especially the youth, have taken to platforms like X and Facebook to bully not just politicians but also their peers, which she calls an abuse of the freedom of expression.