Death of Albert Ojwang – Senate Inquiry

Wednesday 12 June, 2025 | Afternoon Session

The Senate held a special session focused entirely on the circumstances surrounding the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody. Senators expressed outrage, grief, and called for accountability from the police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and the Ministry of Interior. Testimonies were heard from the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, the Inspector General, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and IPOA representatives. The session highlighted systemic issues in the justice and security system.

Topics Discussed

• Death of Albert Ojwang in Central Police custody
• Role and potential culpability of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat
• Police brutality and extrajudicial killings
• Allegations of tampered CCTV and evidence destruction
• Selective justice and police cover-ups
• Accountability of senior officers and double standards
• Inhumane treatment in police cells, including recent death of a pregnant woman
• Resource constraints and reforms within IPOA and National Police Service
• Cybercrime enforcement and overreach in arrest protocols
• Broader insecurity and state-sanctioned violence concerns

Key Takeaways and Decisions

• IPOA confirmed the CCTV DVR had been tampered with and was under forensic analysis
• IPOA committed to submitting findings to the DPP within 10 days
• The Senate Standing Committee on National Security was formally directed to take over the matter and table a report
• The Senate will reconvene during recess for a special session to receive the committee’s report
• The Cabinet Secretary promised justice and pledged ministry support to the victim’s family
• The IG ordered an internal probe into a related case of a woman who miscarried while in police custody

Major Participants

• Kipchumba Murkomen, CS Interior: Promised reforms and support for Ojwang’s family; pushed back on resignation calls
• Inspector General Japhet Koome: Expressed regret, confirmed early misreporting, promised accountability
• Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General: Accused of direct oversight of the unit involved in Ojwang’s detention; several senators called for his resignation or suspension
• DCI Director Mohamed Amin: Defended arrest process; insisted identity challenges prevented summoning Ojwang
• IPOA Vice Chair Anne Mwangi: Confirmed tampering of CCTV, outlined ongoing investigations and staffing constraints
• Sen. Karen Nyamu: Questioned IG’s motives and accused police of sabotaging the government’s reputation
• Sen. Karungo wa Thang’wa: Declared Ojwang a martyr, demanded arrests, and criticized police hierarchy
• Sen. Veronica Maina: Urged financial and emotional support for Ojwang’s widow and child
• Sen. Margaret Kamar: Questioned IPOA’s progress post-autopsy ruling out suicide
• Sen. Hamida Kibwana: Questioned why Ojwang was denied legal representation and why his family was not engaged sooner
• Sen. Onyonka Richard: Called for a broader inquiry into patterns of state-linked killings and cover-ups

Key Moments

• The session was suspended from normal business to allow for the inquiry
• Several senators demanded resignation or suspension of DIG Eliud Lagat
• Murkomen’s tense exchange with Sen. Cherargei over competence and past academic performance drew sharp reactions
• A second incident involving a woman miscarrying in custody the previous day intensified scrutiny on police practices
• IPOA reported 17 officers from the station were under investigation

Notable Quotes

• “The only weapon we have to defend our people is the Constitution of Kenya.” – Sen. Hezena Lemaletian
• “If anybody dies at the hands of the police, don’t bury them. Go to the police station and demand justice.” – Sen. Karungo wa Thang’wa
• “Even an unborn person has the right to live.” – Sen. Methu on the miscarriage in custody

This summary was generated from official YouTube livestreams of the Kenyan Parliament using bunge-bits, an automated transcription and summarization tool.