In Kenya, social media has evolved into more than just a space for connection; it’s now a powerful arena where conversations, trends, and controversies unfold daily.

Yet beneath the humour and hashtags lies a darker reality, reflecting how online platforms have become breeding grounds for mockery and cyberbullying, where personal struggles are turned into viral content.

From body shaming to insensitive “challenges”, the digital culture in Kenya is slowly eroding empathy, turning real human pain into a public spectacle. Even in mourning, the Odinga family has not been spared from the cruelty of social media.

Just days after Kenyans bid farewell to opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a disturbing trend emerged online. On TikTok, users began mocking the facial appearance of his son, Raila Odinga Junior, turning grief into a cruel spectacle.

What some viewed as harmless jest was, in truth, a wave of cyberbullying that exposed how easily empathy disappears in the pursuit of online fame.

Battle of strength and silent resilience

Behind the ridicule stands a man who has endured a rare medical condition with remarkable composure. Raila Odinga Junior, 46, has been living with acoustic neuroma, a non-cancerous brain tumour that affects hearing, balance, and facial movement.

In a 2020 interview, he explained that the growth presses against his third ventricle, paralyzing nerves on the right side of his face. Contrary to public misconception, his condition is not temporary but permanent.

“This is a non-cancerous growth at the back of my brain,” he said, clarifying that it runs in his maternal lineage, affecting about one in five relatives. Despite this, Raila Junior has led a successful professional life.

As CEO of The Creative Hub, a media and advertising firm, he has carved out a distinct path in Kenya’s creative industry. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wales (2002) and a Master’s in Finance from the University of Leeds (2004).

Away from public scrutiny, he lives a quiet life with his wife, Yvonne Wambui Kibukosya, daughter of musician John Katana of Them Mushrooms, whom he married in 2011. His dignity and resilience stand in sharp contrast to the mockery that has surrounded him online.

Normalisation of cruelty online

The trend targeting Raila Junior reflects a growing culture of digital cruelty. Social media platforms like TikTok, meant to connect and entertain, often turn into arenas where ridicule is rewarded with views and likes. The mockery of a man living with a disability, especially during a period of family mourning, raises broader questions about decency and digital responsibility.

Experts warn that such online behaviour contributes to a loss of empathy in society. When users treat others’ pain as entertainment, they normalise callousness. The participation of parents, sometimes involving children in these viral challenges, highlights how insensitivity is being passed across generations.

Restoring humanity in the digital space

Kenya’s Constitution, under Article 54, upholds the right to dignity for persons with disabilities. The recent incident serves as a reminder that respect and compassion must extend beyond the physical world into digital spaces.

The family has chosen silence in the face of public ridicule, a response that speaks to his strength. His calmness in grief underscores the need for restraint and reflection in how society engages online.

As conversations around digital literacy and online ethics continue, the Odinga family’s experience is a reminder that behind every screen is a human being deserving of respect. True progress in the digital age will depend not on viral trends, but on empathy, responsibility, and the courage to choose kindness over mockery.