The murder of
Ojwang has triggered protests among an already restive citizenry against the
Kenya Kwanza administration, further dipping its unpopularity.
A false
publication misdemeanor levelled on Ojwang by DIG Eliud Lagat has snowballed
into a political hot potato, forcing the President and his allies to address
the matter. The international and diplomatic community have also condemned the killing
and called for thorough and conclusive investigations.
Ojwang’s strangulation
— as proved by the autopsy report — has intensified the condemnation of the Ruto
administration, happening days to the anniversary of the June 25 Gen Z
uprising. The opposition, the civil society, ODM leader Raila Odinga and
allies, the youth, legislators — including the allies of the President
— and the clergy have all condemned the killing.
While the
President has also condemned the killing, Kenyans accuse his administration of
abetting killings, abductions and disappearances. This is despite him promising
that such violations would not happen, the betrayal of that social contract
with the people, among other unfulfilled pledges have over and again eroded the
trust and confidence in his administration. This has led to “Ruto Must Go” and
“One Term” chants.
Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu on Wednesday said the killing and
the recent spate of abductions are part of Ruto’s broken promises.
“Kenyans understand the Constitution and are doing exactly
what it allows them. It is up to the Kenya Kwanza administration to live to
that spirit because they all swore to protect the Constitution,” Mulu said.
Even with
the Police exercising independent mandate, the President has not escaped
criticism over the human rights abuses witnessed, particularly after the Gen Z
protests.
MUHURI director Khelef Khalifa on Wednesday said the back
stops with the President as he “doesn’t care when people are killed”.
Khalifa said the government had panicked over Gen Z’s plans
to commemorate June 25.
“They fear something is going to happen, and now they want
to silence all activists. They can kill us, but they can’t kill the idea.
People will still fight for their rights, the Constitution and human rights of
this country. And we are ready to sacrifice, “ he said.
The opposition on Wednesday demanded the resignation and
prosecution of Lagat within 24 hours.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, impeached Deputy President
Rigathi Gachagua, ex-CS Justin Muturi and other opposition figures called for his
swift arrest.
Raila in a statement called for “a speedy and credible
closure” to the matter “alongside the many others we have been pursuing since
2013”.
“It is not optional,” he warned.
He said the killings not only erode the authority and
credibility of the police and the state “and that’s a significant step towards
chaos and collapse”.
It is to be recalled that during Madaraka day celebrations
in Homa Bay, Raila called for the compensation of victims of police killings
during demonstrations, a call that was ignored by the President.
Agenda six of the MoU provides for the right to peaceful
assembly and protests under Article 37 and compensation of all pending claims
of abuse and derogation of this right.
“The effort to uphold this right must now involve not just
the taking of responsibility by officers who break the law but also by the
compensation of the victims of these derogations,” the MoU said.
ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna in March said they will
withdraw their support for the UDA government if any of the clauses MoU is not
honoured. On Saturday escalated the position, saying with Ojwang’s killing, the
UDA-ODM deal is now of no use.
"Where we've reached in this country, we want action,
we don't want words. If you ask me, as Sifuna, that agreement ODM signed with
UDA is of no use," he said.
"How is it possible that we sign an agreement saying
'don't kill our youth,' then a young man is taken from his home, brought to
Nairobi, and killed in a cell? Just the other day, two men were taken from
Elgeyo Marakwet, beaten, had their hands cut off, and dumped in Nakuru," Senator
Sifuna added
ODM deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi in
a heated Senate sitting on Wednesday said when ODM signed the MoU with UDA,
they agreed Kenya would not witness the abductions and killings.
“If we do not get
proper answers from the UDA government, we will consider this as a breach of
the MoU we have with UDA,” he said.
The youth are also back on the streets and on social media condemning
the murder and calling for action on those involved in the killing.
Young digital creatives have also started an online campaign
dubbed “Enough is Enough, We Will Not be Next”, yet another clarion call that
could snowball into another youth movement.
Additionally, the youth and social media users have joined
hands to raise funds to support the Ojwang family.
Former CS Sicily Kariuki opines that there is collective
anger and it is growing among Kenyans, collective restlessness and hopelessness
that keeps growing.
“Kenyans are sandwiched between economic struggles; they are
caught between the denial of exercising their rights and their voice is being
shut down. The growing population of the youth who have become hopeless and
helpless and the only way of expression is to get out and vent,” Kariuki said.
She added that the trust deficit was occasioned by “lies on top of lies on top of lies” and “what I like to famously say ‘mtado’?”
