A video excerpt from a previous interview with the President resurfaced in which the President stated Ogolla had been in a high-level government delegation that went Bomas in 2022 to try and overturn Ruto’s victory. It spread rapidly online as detractors attempted to support the outrageous claim that the General's demise was orchestrated due to this.
Some Kenyan bloggers can be farcical, and given his active presence on X, the President likely took note of these accusations, which can obviously load anyone with some baggage that may not easily go away. As the President read his statement to announce the passing of the general, he must have taken time to pray away the burden of the unfortunate misinterpretation of keyboard assassins on X. They are mostly youths who have grown to trust no one and who spare no one in their vindictiveness.
Opposition politicians, who are clever adopters of whatever can give political mileage, seized the opportunity to exploit Kenya's dark history of assassinations to exacerbate the situation for the current government. Azimio leaders asked whether “it was routine for a CDF to inspect classroom construction, if it was normal for him to be in a chopper with so many other military personnel, and if the chopper was designated for him” and so on. Many statements that followed appeared to point to foul play even as many legitimately pushed for proper investigations to establish what caused the crash.
At the funeral at Ng’iya in Siaya held for the illustrious general, Oburu Odinga showed up flamboyantly after most other people had arrived and been seated. When given an opportunity, he made an odd attempt to dismiss Joel Ogolla’s fervent quashing of the unwarranted claims against the President on social media. Joel assured Kenyans his father’s relationship with the powers that be had been sound. He even humbly submitted that the President did not even have to appoint his father, but rather he chose to do so. The government has promised thorough investigations into what caused the crash and death of the General.
However, it what the President said at the funeral that relevant authorities and all Kenyans need to pay attention to. He declared again as he had on October 22, 2022 – that extrajudicial killings must end and will not be perpetrated under his watch.
In 2022, the President directed the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to furnish the Ministry of Interior and Coordination with a roadmap on how to deal conclusively with extrajudicial killings. The President, on October 24, 2022, disbanded the Special Service Unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which was alleged to have been behind several cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of both citizens and foreign nationals.
Extrajudicial killings in Kenya have been a longstanding issue raising serious human rights concerns both within the country and internationally. These killings, often perpetrated by security forces or individuals with alleged ties to the government, have had a devastating impact on the rule of law and the overall human rights situation in Kenya. There have been high-profile killings, such as those of Tom Mboya and Robert Ouko, but many lower cadre Kenyans have fallen victim to this impunity that the President is right and courageous to face.
One of the most devastating indictments of extrajudicial killings in Kenya is the 2017 report by the Ipoa, which documented numerous cases of killings by the police. The report highlighted a pattern of excessive use of force, unlawful arrests, and executions of suspects. One of the most high-profile cases cited in the report was the killing of human rights lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josphat Mwenda, and their taxi driver, Joseph Muiruri. This case sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
The murders of Oscar King’ara and his colleague John Paul Oulu of the Youth Congress were blatantly carried out with impunity as they were gunned down in the precincts of the University of Nairobi, and walking distance from State House, Nairobi. No evidence has ever emerged that the two had been a danger to national security at that time, although they are said to have been investigating extrajudicial killings by Kenyan police.
Another troubling aspect of extrajudicial killings in Kenya is the targeting of individuals suspected of being involved in criminal activities, particularly young men from marginalised communities. The practice of ‘death squads’ carrying out targeted killings has been reported around the country, with victims often executed without any form of trial or due process. During the clamp down on Mungiki in the era of the Grand Coalition government, many decent young Kikuyu men lost their lives.
The lack of accountability for these killings has been a major concern, with very few perpetrators having being brought to justice. Investigations into extrajudicial killings have often been marred by allegations of cover-ups, witness intimidation, and a lack of political will to address the issue at its root. It is encouraging that the President is taking a lead role in efforts to end these crimes against humanity.
Civil society organisations, human rights activists, and the international community have consistently called on the Kenyan government to take decisive action to end extrajudicial killings and ensure those responsible are held accountable. Reforms within the security sector, including improved training on human rights standards and mechanisms for independent oversight, have been proposed as essential steps to address the root causes of extrajudicial killings in Kenya.
President Ruto's courageous stand against extrajudicial killings represents a defining moment for Kenya — a moment where the forces of justice and accountability triumph over fear and impunity. It is a moment that demands unwavering support from all who believe in the inherent dignity and rights of every individual. Together, let us stand with President Ruto in his pursuit of a more just and equitable Kenya for all.
Political commentator
