Senate Suspends Sitting As Murkomen Comes Under Fire During Grilling on Albert’s Death

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Senate suspended its regular proceedings on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, to focus exclusively on the death of digital blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen faced intense questioning from lawmakers demanding accountability.

The extraordinary Senate session saw Murkomen appear alongside Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohammed, and IPOA Deputy Chairperson Anne Mwangi to address the national outrage surrounding Ojwang’s death at Nairobi Central Police Station on June 8.

Under pressure from senators, Murkomen pledged that the government would not shield anyone found culpable in the blogger’s death, describing the incident as “regrettable” and extending condolences to the bereaved family.

“We will do everything within the ministry to ensure that there is no interference, no shielding of any individual, and no cover-up,” Murkomen stated during his appearance before the Senate plenary.

The Interior CS promised to mobilize resources to ensure justice is served, but his assurances appeared to do little to quell the anger of lawmakers who have been demanding swift action since news of Ojwang’s death broke.

The session came amid growing calls for the immediate resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, whose complaint allegedly led to Ojwang’s arrest.

Senators have been particularly critical of Lagat’s role in the incident, with some calling for his arrest over the blogger’s death.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi allocated two hours for the special session, during which proceedings were broadcast live and media access was granted.

“This time will be used by the Senate to engage with the CS and his team,” Kingi directed, emphasizing the gravity of the matter.

The controversy intensified following an autopsy conducted by government pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia, which confirmed that Ojwang died from injuries consistent with a violent assault.

The examination revealed extensive head injuries, neck compression, and multiple trauma wounds, contradicting initial police claims that he had hit his head against a cell wall.

Ojwang, 34, was found unconscious in his cell at Central Police Station on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mbagathi Hospital.

The teacher and social media influencer had been arrested at his home in Homa Bay County on Saturday afternoon and transported over 400 kilometers to Nairobi.

The death has sparked nationwide condemnation, with human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya, calling for thorough investigations.

The organization stated that “no Kenyan should lose their life in police custody” and emphasized the legal and moral duty of police officers to ensure the safety of those in their custody.

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who petitioned the Senate to summon the security officials, led calls for accountability over what lawmakers described as “inhumane treatment” that resulted in Ojwang’s death.

The incident has drawn comparisons to other high-profile cases of alleged police brutality in Kenya and comes at a time when President William Ruto’s administration faces mounting criticism over reports of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

Inspector General Kanja confirmed that senior officers at Central Police Station have been interdicted pending investigations into the incident.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about police conduct and accountability in Kenya’s criminal justice system.

The Senate’s decision to suspend regular business to focus on Ojwang’s death underscores the severity of the matter and the pressure on the government to provide satisfactory answers to a nation demanding justice for the slain blogger.

As investigations continue, the case has become a litmus test for the government’s commitment to addressing police brutality and ensuring accountability within the security forces.