National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula has directed the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to table a preliminary report and statement in the House on Thursday at 2:30 PM, updating the House and the nation on investigations into Albert Ojwang’s tragic death.
The directive followed concerns raised by lawmakers, led by Nyando MP Jared Okello, who described the matter as grave and urgent.
“By all means, a very serious matter. This is causing a lot of anxiety. The explanations are reminiscent of the Steve Biko story. I direct the chairman of the security committee to bring a preliminary report on Thursday at 2:30 PM before the budget starts,” Wetang’ula said.
He assured MPs they could respond once the statement is presented, “I know Thursday is Budget Day, but we have half an hour before budget starts. Hold your horses; you’ll have an opportunity.”
Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, committee chair, expressed condolences, calling the incident unfortunate, “A young Kenyan died at the hands of the police, where he should have felt safe.”
He confirmed summoning the Inspector General of Police and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to brief the committee confirming and committing that he would table the report by Thursday.
Tharaka MP George Murugara expressed sorrow, questioning the police service’s integrity and training. “Are officers issuing orders to execute young men? We must review police training and condemn extrajudicial killings,” he said.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo lamented that, despite constitutional reforms, such incidents persist. She urged President William Ruto to ensure swift prosecution of culpable officers.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. If IPOA is overwhelmed, consider external investigators.” She emphasized MPs’ shared grief, especially in Homa Bay: “We don’t want our people killed.”
Former Chief Justice David Maraga called for dissolving Ruto’s administration, citing its failure to uphold constitutionalism. A government pathologist’s report confirmed Ojwang was beaten, strangled, and tortured in custody.
Maraga referenced Missing Voices’ 2024 report, documenting 159 cases of extrajudicial killings and disappearances, accusing the administration of fostering lawlessness. He demanded a “shutdown” to restore accountability, using hashtags #ThePeopleShall and #ResetRebuildRestore.
Maraga criticized Ruto’s claim that abduction victims were accounted for, citing ongoing cases like Brian Odhiambo’s. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 82 abductions since June 2024, with 29 individuals still missing.