Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigation Mohammed Amin were taken to task by senators over attempts to cover up the killing of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
The trio, who were before the Senate over the mysterious killing had a difficult time explaining why he had to be taken all the way from Homa Bay to Nairobi and detained at Central Police Station.
Senators were also shocked to learn from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority that CCTV cameras at Central Police Station had been tampered with on the day Ojwang was booked.
Senate Chief Whip Boni Khalwale led the onslaught against Murkomen calling for his resignation. “I wonder why it is difficult for Murkomen to advise the necessary authority to have Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat who is a person of interest in this matter to be dismissed from the service,” said Khalwale.
He wondered why these killings were going on as Kanja watched yet he had valiantly fought terrorists in Dusit terrorists. He further wanted to know what action he had taken against Police Spokesman Muchiri Nyaga for attempting to conceal this crime with the claim that Ojwang hit his head on the wall.
Murkomen defended himself saying he was in charge of policy framework and he could not ask a certain individual to be arrested and since Kenyan insulated the police against interference from interference from other quarters.
“My position on extrajudicial killing, police brutality and on matters of abduction has not changed, I am barely six months in this office, a certain Senator started saying I should be fired barely two months after I came to office, eventually citizens will appreciate the work we are doing,” said Murkomen.
He said IPOA will help in resolving the matter and that he has been vocal in fighting for justice for all since his days as a senator.
IG Kanja said circumstances under which Ojwang died are being investigated and apologised for conflicting police statements. He told senators that they interdicted the police officers because they were on duty to ensure investigations were smooth.
He added that the CCTV interference is being investigated to determine what exactly took place.
“If investigation is done and it is found out that the officers who gave the primary information on Ojwang hitting his head on the wall lied they will face disciplinary action. I am tendering my apology following the report by IPOA which showed he did not hit his head on the wall,” said Kanja.
Kajwang asked if the other suspects arrested were alive or in a ditch somewhere with Kanja saying they are alive and that reason as to why Ojwang was booked alone in the cells is a matter under investigation.
