The Senate on Tuesday suspended its normal proceedings to deliberate on the controversial death of social media influencer Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody under circumstances now confirmed to involve torture.
The special session came a day after an autopsy revealed that Ojwang was tortured to death—contradicting earlier police reports that had downplayed the incident.
The revelations have sparked a nationwide outcry, prompting lawmakers to demand urgent reforms in policing and justice for the deceased.
During the heated Senate debate, Majority Leader Senator Aaron Cheruiyot made a bold call for Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Edward Mbugua Lagat to step aside, saying that even though they were personal friends, stepping away from the case would preserve the integrity of the investigations.
“For his own conscience to be clear and for justice to prevail, DIG Lagat must step aside,” Cheruiyot stated.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen appeared before the Senate plenary to address mounting concerns over the incident.
He reassured the public that the government will not tolerate any form of cover-up and pledged full cooperation with ongoing investigations.
“We will do everything within the ministry to ensure that there is no interference, no shielding of any individual, and no cover-up,” Murkomen told senators, while extending condolences to Ojwang’s family.
The CS was flanked by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, DCI Director Amin Mohammed, and IPOA Deputy Chairperson Anne Mwangi.
The security officials faced intense questioning from senators, who demanded swift and transparent accountability.
Ojwang’s death has galvanized public anger across the country, with civil society groups, digital influencers, and human rights organizations calling for an end to police brutality and custodial killings.
Online campaigns have further intensified the demand for justice, making the case a litmus test for Kenya’s human rights record.
