The shame of Gen Z's mocking Raila Juniour in the shadow of grief

Even in mourning, the Odinga family could not escape the cruel theatre of social media. Barely days after Kenya bid farewell to its long-time opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, a cruel new “challenge” emerged online: TikTok users mocking the facial appearance of his son, Raila Odinga Junior.

But behind the ridicule lies a story of quiet endurance.

The 46-year-old media executive and entrepreneur has lived for years with acoustic neuroma, a rare, non-cancerous brain tumour that affects hearing, balance, and facial movement.

Yet rather than seek sympathy, he has faced his condition with the same composure and dignity that have long defined the Odinga legacy.

The Creative Hub CEO has rarely spoken publicly about his condition. However, in 2020, he  gave a candid interview to Standard Digital, explaining how acoustic neuroma has shaped his life.

“Usually, I don’t talk much about it,” he said. “But I wanted to explain that I have what is called acoustic neuroma. This is a non-cancerous growth at the back of my brain. Every human being has five ventricles streaming from the back, and mine is affected,” he explained, gesturing with his hand to illustrate.

The second son of the late ODM party leader added that the condition damaged nerves on the right side of his face, affecting his appearance. He clarified misconceptions that he had Bell’s palsy — a temporary paralysis of facial muscles caused by nerve damage.

“My acoustic schwannoma presses against my third ventricle, which controls the nerves on the right side of my face. That is what caused the paralysis. It is not Bell’s palsy, as people assume. That is a different condition altogether,” he said.

Raila Junior further revealed that acoustic neuroma runs in his maternal lineage.

“It’s a genetic condition from my mum’s side,” he said. it doesn’t affect everyone in the family but some members. Maybe one in five would suffer acoustic neuroma,” he said.

Junior also dispelled public misconceptions about his personal life at the time.

“Some of the misconceptions that people have about me is that I am an eighteen-year-old boy living in my father’s house. I have been married for over seven years with children,” he asserted vibrantly.

Raila Junior married Yvonne Wambui Kibukosya in 2011 at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club. Yvonne is the daughter of renowned musician John Katana of Them Mushrooms and Susan Kibukosya.

Unlike many from political dynasties, Raila Junior has carved out an independent identity.

A businessman and media professional, he holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wales (2002) and a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Leeds (2004).

He currently serves as the CEO and Executive Producer of Creative Hub, a production company that develops advertising campaigns and creative media content.

Despite his famous surname, those who know him describe him as humble, approachable, and deeply professional.

The videos mocking Raila Jr were met with criticism and backlash from Kenyans from social media. Ranging from content creators, renowned artistes, politicians and common wananchi, they called out these insensitive social media users.

Singer Akothee was amongst them, expressing her disappointment on her Facebook page. She asked Kenyans to be considerate of the family’s grieving time and remain respectful to the former ODM party leader’s family. 

“Kenyans, what has become of us? When did we lose empathy, respect, and the basic sense of humanity? If we could extend even a fraction of empathy and decency toward one another, our society would be a safer, kinder place. But what I am seeing on social media today, especially on TikTok, is not content, it’s inhumanity, humiliation, and disrespect of the highest order,” Akothee said.

The ‘Muje’ singer asked why some people were finding entertainment in mocking and demeaning the Creative Hub Chief Executive Officer. She expressed her disgust towards the Kenyans creating such hateful content and urged them to correct themselves.

“And to those mocking Raila Junior, what do you gain from another person’s pain? Do you not have a life, or a sense of conscience left in you? This is not content creation; this is cyberbullying, harassment, and public shaming disguised as jokes. It is heartbreaking. As a mother, I am deeply disturbed. This is not who we are. We must be better. We must teach our children empathy, not mockery,” she wrote.

Akothee appealed to Kenyans to report such accounts and “not normalise cruelty for likes and views.”  “We must call out this behaviour, and yes, l, report these accounts. Let’s not normalize cruelty for likes and views,” she said.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura also joined in condemning the trend. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he described the “challenge” as “horrendous” and an example of “body shaming disguised as humour.”

“It’s very wrong to mock someone based on their appearance due to an inherent condition. It’s even horrendous to create a ‘challenge’ to body shame. Such behaviour reflects more on your poor character and upbringing in the name of content creation. Let’s be human for once,” Mwaura wrote.

Voices of reason

Popular TikToker Kaluma Boy, who has personal experience caring for a parent with paralysis, also criticised the trend. Describing the act as ‘inhumane’, he stated how he didn’t comprehend why someone would make the video without thinking about Raila Odinga Jr and his family.

“I don’t understand why a TikToker anaweza fanya challenge ya Raila Odinga Junior for likes and views. I don’t understand why na si fiti kabisa. You should accept your mistake and be corrected. TikTokers si kwa ubaya lakini, that is inhumane,” he said.

The 17-year-old’s reaction resonated with many. He knows a thing or two about the challenges paralysis bestows upon someone’s life. In September, hundreds of Kenyans travelled to Othaya to show support after posting TikTok videos documenting the problems his family faced with his ailing father.

Battling stroke, Vincent Kaluma captured nationwide attention as he picked tea leaves and sort support to finance his poverty-stricken family.

Renowned digital creator Milly Chebby took the fight further by exposing TikTok accounts involved in the mockery. She posted screenshots of the offenders’ profiles, prompting a flood of angry reactions.

“This is sickening, uncouth, and disrespectful,” she wrote. “It’s very low.”

One of the most disturbing videos featured a mother and daughter mocking Raila Junior together, prompting questions about the kind of examples parents are setting for the next generation.

Social media users flooded Chebby’s comments, denouncing the trend. Some of the offending accounts were deactivated following the backlash. 

On Facebook, Lydia Muthoni wrote: “According to Article 54 of our Constitution, persons with disabilities should be treated with dignity. Anyone can acquire a disability at any time.”

Another user, Clement, added: “Life has a funny way of humbling mockers. What you laugh at today, you might cry about tomorrow.”

X user Dan Lugosi pointed out, “The guy is so eloquent and very normal in speech. It is hate, jealousy and mockery from those who can’t afford his soft life.”

Another, Kevin Maskari wrote, “Where did humanity go? That cybercrime law is going to curb this mess. I support this law because some people lack knowledge and wisdom. I know Raila Odinga Jr is seeing this na si poa kabisa.”

Agreeing with Maskari, Colman Nyambu wrote on Facebook, “Watu wanatumia freedom of expression kunyanyasa wenzao vibaya.”

Gentleman

X user Ouma Neko also pointed out, “Let it be clear: attacking Raila Junior only exposes your insecurities and lack of self-worth. He represents legacy, discipline, and vision qualities his critics will never comprehend. If he asked me to stand for my community, I would do so with pride. Because iron sharpens iron and Raila Junior was forged in the fire of greatness, not in the ashes of resentment.”

Communication specialist Dennis Mang’oa Mosota shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, describing Raila Junior as “a gentleman par excellence.”

“He doesn’t flaunt Jaramogi’s royalty or demand privilege,” Mosota wrote. “He does not splash or spit Jaramogi Odinga’s royalty in any way. He is a gentleman per excellence. Raila Odinga Jr is your normal, cool guy. No noisily cutting queues in a bank or supermarket. Odinga Jr. does not deserve myopic trolling on social media. Some of us are not only insensitive, but inhuman. We cannot make fun of a biological condition. Imagine bravely living with acoustic schwannoma, then you become a butt of buffoons’ constant joke.”

For now, the family’s silence speaks louder than any response.

In their quiet grief, they continue to embody the dignity and resilience long associated with the Odinga name.