Andy Byron, the CEO of Astronomer, resigned after a video from a Coldplay concert showed him in a compromising position with the company’s HR head, Kristin Cabot.
The clip, which went viral on social media, appeared to show the two sharing an intimate moment during a “kiss cam” at the concert.
This incident sparked discussions online and led to Byron’s resignation the same day, with Astronomer confirming that he had failed to meet the company’s code of conduct.
While the video did not confirm a romantic relationship, the public backlash and internal pressure forced him out of his job almost immediately.
The company has since appointed an interim CEO while investigations continue. Meanwhile, in Kenya, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat remains in office despite being linked to a much more serious matter.
In June 2025, a teacher and blogger named Albert Ojwang was arrested after posting allegations of corruption against Lagat. Ojwang was later found dead in police custody, and an autopsy suggested he had been assaulted.
The incident caused public anger, with human rights groups and members of the public demanding accountability. Lagat briefly stepped aside, but within a month, he was reportedly cleared and returned to office without facing any charges.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said he had not been formally questioned at senior levels.
This situation has left many people questioning how accountability is handled differently depending on the type of position someone holds. On social media, Kenyans expressed their frustration, with one user saying, “The fact that he resigned before Eliud Lagat doesn’t sit right with me.”
The comment summed up what many felt that a CEO in the U.S. could be forced to resign over personal behavior, but a top government official in Kenya could stay in office despite being linked to a death in custody.
This comparison raises serious concerns about how standards of accountability are applied. In corporate environments, especially in the West, misconduct of any kind can lead to immediate action.
But in many governments, especially in parts of Africa, officials often survive even when linked to serious scandals. It shows a system where public office can shield individuals from consequences that would be automatic in other settings.
The public is left asking why personal embarrassment is treated more seriously than loss of life. Until this gap in accountability is addressed, people will continue to lose trust in institutions meant to protect them.
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