A heated session unfolded in the Senate on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, after Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, declined to answer specific questions regarding the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody. The session turned chaotic as senators protested Murkomen’s refusal to take responsibility, prompting a temporary suspension of proceedings.
Murkomen deflected the questions, stating that it was the responsibility of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to provide detailed answers. “The Constitution does not give me the power to decide who is culpable,” Murkomen asserted, emphasizing the role of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) in investigating such deaths.
Senators, however, were unconvinced, with Migori Senator Eddy Oketch leading the charge. Oketch questioned the conflicting narratives surrounding Ojwang’s death, challenging the earlier police report that claimed Ojwang had hit his head on a wall—an account contradicted by a recent autopsy report. “Who, in the view of the CS and IG, are the suspects in this murder?” Oketch pressed, also demanding a comprehensive update on actions taken by IPOA and the National Police Service.
Despite declining to name suspects, Murkomen expressed regret over the incident and assured the Senate that justice would prevail. “As a father, it is regrettable that such an act happened in our country, particularly at the hands of police officers,” he said. He promised full cooperation from his ministry and stressed that any officers found culpable would face severe punishment.
Earlier, the Senate had suspended its formal sitting to allow for an informal engagement with Murkomen, IG Kanja, and DCI Director Mohamed Amin. This move aimed to facilitate open discussions about the growing concerns of police brutality and lack of accountability.
The Senate is now pushing for urgent answers and tangible action, with public confidence in law enforcement hanging in the balance. The death of Albert Ojwang has reignited national debate on police reform, with lawmakers demanding transparency, justice, and institutional accountability.
