The late Professor Makau Mutua once sparked massive outrage among Kenyans on social media after posting controversial comments linking the tragic Westgate Mall terror attack to the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases facing President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
At a time when the country was mourning victims of the deadly terror attack at Nairobi’s Westgate Shopping Mall, Mutua’s tweet triggered anger, criticism, and heated debate online, with many Kenyans accusing him of being insensitive during a national tragedy.
Makau Mutua’s Controversial Tweet
The controversy erupted after Mutua criticized the ICC’s decision to grant William Ruto a one-week break from his trial proceedings in The Hague so he could return to Kenya following the Westgate terror attack.
At the time, Ruto had requested permission from the court to temporarily leave the proceedings in order to help the Kenyan government coordinate responses to the security crisis back home.
However, Mutua strongly opposed the move and took to Twitter with a statement that many Kenyans interpreted as politically charged and lacking compassion.
He tweeted:
“ICC wrong to grant Ruto one-week leave. Kenyatta and Ruto mustn’t be allowed to use Westgate Mall tragedy to evade justice.”
The post immediately went viral and ignited a storm on Kenyan Twitter, now popularly known as X.
Kenyans on Twitter React Furiously
Thousands of Kenyans flooded social media with angry responses directed at Mutua, accusing him of exploiting a national tragedy to advance political arguments.
Many users argued that the country was grieving innocent lives lost in the terrorist attack and that the focus should have remained on unity, security, and supporting affected families rather than political divisions.
Others defended Ruto’s decision to return home, saying Kenya’s leadership needed to be physically present during one of the nation’s darkest moments.
The backlash highlighted how emotionally charged the Westgate attack was for Kenyans both at home and in the diaspora.
Westgate Attack Shook Kenyans Worldwide
The Westgate Mall terror attack remains one of the most painful moments in Kenya’s modern history. The attack left dozens dead and many injured after armed terrorists stormed the upscale Nairobi shopping complex.
The tragedy united Kenyans across the world, including diaspora communities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries, who organized prayers, vigils, and fundraising efforts for victims and survivors.
For many Kenyans abroad, the comments made during that period carried enormous emotional weight, especially on social media where public figures were expected to show empathy and solidarity.
Debate Over Politics and National Tragedies
The incident also reignited debate over the intersection of politics, justice, and national crises in Kenya.
Supporters of Mutua argued that leaders facing international criminal cases should not receive special treatment, while critics insisted that the Westgate tragedy was not the right moment for political commentary.
Years later, the tweet is still remembered by many Kenyans as one of the most controversial social media reactions during the Westgate terror attack period.
