CS Murkomen to appear before Senate amid uproar over Ojwang’s death

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is expected to provide an update on the progress of investigations into the death of social media influencer and teacher Albert Ojwang.

The CS is scheduled to appear before the Senate on Wednesday, June 11, to respond to various security-related questions, with the death of Ojwang in police custody being a key focus.

This will be the first time Murkomen publicly addresses Ojwang’s death, which occurred on Sunday, June 8, 2025, while the teacher was in custody at Central Police Station.

The CS is under increasing pressure to provide detailed information about the operation that led to Ojwang’s arrest at his rural home in Homa Bay County, and his subsequent transfer to Nairobi on Friday, June 6.

On Monday, June 9, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja gave a preliminary statement, saying Ojwang’ was found unconscious in a cell at Central Police Station and rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Kanja also announced that the officers who were on duty at the time, including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), had been interdicted to allow investigations to proceed.

However, he did not disclose the identities of the officers involved in Ojwang’s arrest in Homa Bay, nor whether any disciplinary or legal action had been taken against them.

Senators are expected to push Murkomen to provide updates on the investigation’s progress and outline the measures being taken to ensure accountability and justice for Ojwang’s death.

In the National Assembly, Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara has also raised the matter, seeking answers from the National Security and Administration Committee.

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed the committee to present a report on the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death.

"This is, by all means, a very serious matter that is causing a lot of anxiety. The explanations coming out sound like a Steve Biko story,” Wetang’ula said.

“I want to direct the chair of the Security Committee—although Thursday is Budget Day—that we spare half an hour for you to bring a preliminary report to the House and inform the country on the progress made so far.”