Tempers flared in the Senate on Wednesday as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, and DCI boss Mohamed Amin were grilled by senators over the controversial death of teacher and social media activist Albert Ojwang.
The Senate suspended its plenary sitting for two hours to allow an informal interrogation session with the top security chiefs, alongside a representative from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). Senators demanded accountability and transparency on the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death while in police custody at Central Police Station, Nairobi, on June 8, 2025.
Ojwang, a vocal activist from Homa Bay County, was reportedly arrested from his rural home before being transported to Nairobi. According to a preliminary statement issued by IG Kanja on June 9, Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell and pronounced dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital. Several officers, including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), were interdicted pending investigations.
During Wednesday’s informal session, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi assured lawmakers that a formal report would be compiled by the Clerk to guide the Senate’s resolutions. “The resolutions of this meeting will be recorded by the Clerk,” Kingi clarified, addressing concerns about the legal standing of an informal session.
Tensions rose as senators insisted that Murkomen, Kanja, and Amin speak under oath. “We are here to hear nothing but the truth. The only way we can get the truth is when statements are made under oath,” Kingi emphasized.
This marked Murkomen’s first public appearance addressing the incident. He is expected to give a comprehensive update on the progress of investigations and the Interior Ministry’s handling of the arrest operation. DCI boss Amin is also under pressure to reveal whether any of his officers played a direct role in Ojwang’s arrest or death.
The Senate session underscores growing demands for police accountability in Kenya, especially regarding deaths in custody. As the public watches closely, lawmakers are determined to ensure justice is served and that the truth about Ojwang’s untimely death comes to light.
