Storm in Senate as Murkomen declines to answer questions on Ojwang’s death

Senators were infuriated when Murkomen stated that it was Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja—not himself—who should provide answers about Ojwang’s death in police custody.

The House session was halted on June 11, 2025, for several minutes as angry senators protested the CS's stance.

“The Constitution does not give me the power to decide who is culpable. However, I am confident that we will do everything possible to ensure there is no cover-up or shielding of anyone,” Murkomen said.

During his opening remarks, Murkomen affirmed that the government would spare no effort to ensure justice for the family of the late Ojwang.

Speaking before the Senate on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the CS said Ojwang’s death was deeply regrettable and a blow to the conscience of the nation.

“One life lost is a life too many. As the CS in charge and as a father, it is regrettable that such an act happened in our country, particularly at the hands of police officers,” he said.

“I will fully cooperate and put every effort into ensuring justice is served to this family. Anyone involved in this act will be punished severely, so they serve as an example. This should not happen under our new Constitution.”

When asked who he believed was responsible, Murkomen said the law had established independent oversight mechanisms to determine culpability.

He added that under the current legal framework, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is mandated to investigate deaths that occur in police custody, while his ministry plays a policy and oversight role.

“We now have a mechanism for holding officers accountable. Thanks to this framework, several officers who have committed such heinous acts have been prosecuted,” he said.

“We will spare no effort, and where the ministry’s assistance is needed, we will provide it to ensure that justice is served to Ojwang’s family, his father, his wife, and their only child.”

Earlier, the Senate had suspended its official sitting and converted into an informal session to allow Murkomen, Inspector General Douglas Kanja, and DCI Director Mohamed Amin to respond to lawmakers’ concerns over the controversial death.

In his remarks, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who raised the questions, said Ojwang had sustained fatal injuries, raising serious concerns about police brutality, accountability, and responsibility within the police service.

Oketch also demanded a report on the actions taken by IPOA and the National Police Service regarding the officers implicated in Ojwang’s death.

“In this sitting, we want to be very clear, who, in the view of the CS and IG, are the suspects in this murder?” Oketch asked.

“The IG informed the nation that Ojwang’ hit his head on a wall. The country needs to know where did he got that information? And now that the autopsy has contradicted that claim, what has the CS done?”