Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has refuted claims that the government is attempting to shield police officers implicated in the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances.
Breaking his silence on the incident, Murkomen told senators that no one, including himself or the president, has interfered with ongoing investigations, and warned that those found culpable would be held accountable without exception.
“This accountability is not negotiable; neither is it debatable. We expect every police officer who was involved to be brought to justice expeditiously,” Murkomen said while addressing a special sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, June 11.
“It is regrettable that such an act happened in the hands of police officers. Those who were involved in this action will be punished severely to serve as an example,” he added.
He went further to state that the Executive had not issued any instructions to the police or other agencies concerning the matter.
“Even the President is barred from giving directions to the Inspector General of Police in regard to any investigations…We will do everything within the ministry to ensure that there is no interference, shielding of any individual, and cover up from the Executive,” said Murkomen.
His remarks came amid growing national outrage and suspicion over the inconsistencies in the official explanation surrounding Ojwang’s death. Initial police reports had claimed that the 26-year-old influencer hit his head against the cell wall in an apparent suicide attempt, a claim now discredited by autopsy results.
The postmortem, conducted at Nairobi’s City Mortuary, concluded that Ojwang died from head injuries caused by blunt force trauma, neck compression consistent with strangulation, and extensive soft tissue injuries — all pointing to assault.
The Senate’s special session had been called to address the safety of detained individuals following a wave of police brutality cases. Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who moved the motion, questioned the glaring discrepancies in police reports and demanded clarity from the Interior CS.
Senators were particularly concerned about the slow pace of the investigation. Oketch pointed out that no arrests had been made five days after the incident, comparing the inaction to the swift response in the recent fatal shooting of Kasipul MP Charles Were.
Murkomen’s statement appears aimed at easing tensions as pressure mounts on the government to prosecute those responsible for the alleged torture and murder of Ojwang while in custody.
