National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula 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.
The report is expected to update the House and the nation on the progress of investigations into the tragic death of Albert Ojwang.
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. Yesterday, yours truly here, and others spoke to it in the same manner that you are speaking. This is, by all means, a very serious matter,” Wetang’ula said.
“The chairman of the security committee. This matter is causing a lot of anxiety, and the explanations are coming out. For those of you who have read the book Steve Biko. It sounds like a Steve Biko story, and I would want to direct the chairman of security.”
“I know Thursday is Budget Day, but we have half an hour before budget starts. You will bring a preliminary report and statement with the House on Thursday at 230 to inform the House and the country the progress so far made in the investigations,” added the Speaker.
Acknowledging widespread concern among MPs, the Speaker assured members they would have an opportunity to respond once the statement is presented:
“I know many members have strong views on this matter. Hold your horses, once the statement is presented on Thursday, I will give you an opportunity,” he stated.
Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, who chairs the National Assembly Departmental Committee on National Administration and Internal Security, acknowledged that the death of Albert Ojwang’ is a matter of grave concern not only to Members of Parliament but also too many Kenyans.
“I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family. It is an extremely unfortunate incident that a young Kenyan died at the hands of the police, in a place where he should have felt safe,” said Tongoyo.
He further assured the House and the public that the committee is taking the matter seriously.
“I want to confirm to you, Hon. Speaker, to this House, and to Kenyans, that we are all deeply disturbed. This morning, we officially wrote and the Clerk has already signed letters summoning the Inspector General of Police and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to appear before the committee. They will brief us on the circumstances surrounding the incident and provide an update on the ongoing investigation.”
Tongoyo committed to presenting a preliminary report as directed.
“By Thursday afternoon, as you instructed, I will be in a position to table a preliminary report on the matter.”
Tharaka MP George Murugara expressed deep sorrow over the loss of such a young man under unclear circumstances, which raises serious questions about the integrity of our national police service. He criticized the official statements related to the incident as confusing and lacking clarity.
Murugara called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to thoroughly investigate and uncover the truth so that justice can be served to the family of the young man who tragically died.
“Sometimes we wonder why the police service continues to conduct itself in this manner. It begs the question whether their training syllabus has changed since the colonial era, because during the State of Emergency, we saw extrajudicial killings,” he noted.
“Is this practice still ongoing today?” he asked.
“Are there officers, whether senior or junior, who are issuing orders to execute young men? These are questions we must ask ourselves. It is high time we review the qualifications and training of our police officers. Perhaps there are gaps at the entry level or in the training they receive at the Kiganjo Police Training College. Times have changed, and our police service must meet the expectations of today.”
“Justice must prevail at all times. We must unequivocally condemn extrajudicial killings, they should neither be allowed nor condoned. This House must continue to denounce such acts consistently, day in and day out,” he held.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo expressed deep concern over the tragic death of Albert Ojwang’, lamenting that such incidents continue to occur despite the enactment of a new Constitution that transformed the police force into a service-oriented institution.
“It is unfortunate that even after we passed a new Constitution to reform the police into a service, we are still witnessing conduct that contradicts that very spirit,” she said.
Odhiambo called on President William Ruto to ensure that any police officers found culpable in Ojwang’s death are prosecuted without delay. “Those tarnishing the name of the police service must be held accountable. They should be charged and prosecuted swiftly because justice delayed is justice denied,” she stated.
She warned against the common trend of cases being abandoned once public anger subsides. “We’ve seen it before people get arrested, tempers cool down, and then the cases quietly disappear. That cannot happen this time. To show seriousness, this case must be fast-tracked.”
She further suggested that, if necessary, the government should consider involving external investigators.
“The government has in the past engaged international experts. If IPOA is overwhelmed or compromised, perhaps it’s time to bring in external forces to ensure justice is done and seen to be done.”
Odhiambo also addressed public frustration, emphasizing that Members of Parliament share in the pain and grief. “I understand the public’s anger, but let me remind you, MPs are not responsible for this death. We are hurting too.”
She added that for those from Homa Bay County, the pain is even deeper.
“This is our home. We don’t want our people to be killed. We lost Ong’ondo Were just the other day. Now, we are mourning another young man who lived near him. We want the government to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.”
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