A heated session in the Senate on Tuesday, June 10, saw lawmakers demand the immediate arrest of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Kipkoech Lagat over the controversial death of Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody.
The debate was sparked by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations concerning Ojwang’s death, which has raised widespread public concern.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale led the charge, calling for accountability at the highest levels of the police service.
“This matter must be escalated to the highest level. We must instil fear in the government so that the State respects human life. It is not enough to ask the Deputy IG to resign,” Khalwale stated.
He went on to demand that Lagat be arrested and compelled to record a statement with the police, adding that the officers who orchestrated Ojwang’s transfer from Homa Bay to Nairobi should also be arrested.
“Why are they walking scot-free? We must protect our children, and it is this Parliament that will bring this to an end,” he added.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei supported Khalwale’s sentiments and urged Parliament to initiate a judicial inquiry into allegations of extrajudicial killings in the country.
“Heads must roll, including the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Police Inspector General, their subordinates, the OCS in Homa Bay, and even Safaricom, which released the suspect’s location,” Cherargei said.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ also condemned the incident, demanding that Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen resign, citing the growing trend of insecurity under his watch.
“This gentleman did not die. He was killed by the police,” Kajwang’ stated firmly.
“The Minister of Interior, under these circumstances, should have resigned.”
He added that Parliament should shoulder part of the blame, having vetted the same officers now under scrutiny.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, however, criticised fellow lawmakers for what he termed as hypocrisy—lamenting in the chambers but failing to act.
“We want to get clips on TikTok, but the House is virtually empty. People have said what they wanted to say, without recourse. We passed a motion after the June 25th protests, but our committees have not followed through. How long do we want to be a House of Lamentations?” he posed.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka called for a deeper investigation into Ojwang’s social media posts, where he allegedly exposed corruption within the police service.
“The reason he was killed is because he said the Police Service receives close to Ksh56 billion annually. What happened to Ojwang is a consequence of a failed state,” he said.
Ojwang was arrested from his home in Homa Bay on Saturday, June 8, and transferred to Nairobi, where he died the following day. His death sparked a national uproar after Inspector General Douglas Kanja claimed Ojwang died by suicide after allegedly hitting his head against a wall.
However, government pathologist Dr Bernard Midia disputed the police account. An autopsy revealed that Ojwang suffered multiple injuries consistent with assault.
“The pattern of the injuries, especially the trauma on the head, does not support the suicide narrative. The injuries suggest assault with a blunt object,” Midia explained.
Kenyans across the country have since taken to social media to demand justice for Ojwang and accountability from the National Police Service.
