Activist Mercy Tarus found herself at the centre of online discussion on Sunday after concerns emerged over her whereabouts following a period of silence on social media.
The activist, who gained national attention for her role in exposing the Uasin Gishu Finland education scandal, became a trending topic after Kenyans questioned why she had gone quiet, with some expressing fears for her safety.
The speculation prompted former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Roselyn Akombe to reassure the public.
"Keep thriving, Mercy!" Akombe posted on X, a message widely interpreted as confirmation that the activist was safe.
Social commentator Nerema Wako also moved to calm growing anxiety, revealing that he had personally spoken to Tarus.
"I just spoke to Tarus. She is fine," Wako wrote.
She, however, criticised what he described as a culture of online harassment and misinformation, saying public figures, particularly young women, often bear the brunt of unwarranted scrutiny.
"What is not fine is the culture on this platform that relentlessly targets, bullies and harasses, especially young women. Some people have become so comfortable spreading misinformation that they no longer pause to consider the anxiety, stress and real harm they cause others," she said.
Wako added that Tarus was under no obligation to constantly update the public about her well-being.
"Silence sometimes is a refusal to dignify nonsense. Tarus does not owe proof that she is okay. We should have heard from her family if anything serious. She certainly does not owe explanations to strangers demanding them," he said.
The concerns were echoed by several social media users, among them Bakhita Esther, who asked: "Is Mercy Tarus, founder of Kenya ni home fine?"
Tarus rose to prominence in 2023 after becoming one of the most vocal victims of the controversial Uasin Gishu overseas education programme that promised opportunities for students to study in Finland and Canada.
She captured national attention after a video of her confronting Uasin Gishu leaders during a public meeting went viral.
In the emotional address, she openly challenged Governor Jonathan Bii, Deputy Governor John Barorot and Senator Jackson Mandago over the collapse of the programme despite parents having paid millions of shillings in fees.
Her remarks resonated with many Kenyans and transformed her into a symbol of the struggle by affected students and parents seeking accountability.
The programme has since remained under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Investigators have previously indicated that the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust Fund account received hundreds of millions of shillings from families seeking overseas education opportunities for their children
As questions over her silence continued to dominate online discussions, assurances from those close to Tarus appeared to ease fears, even as the episode sparked a wider conversation about online harassment and privacy.
