Africa-Press – Kenya. The Senate has summoned Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to appear before members over the death of Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody.
The chairman of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Ahmed Issack Hassan, will appear alongside the two at 9.30 am on Wednesday.
The development comes as National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika 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 over the same.
The report is expected to update the House and the nation on the progress of investigations into the tragic death of Ojwang’.
Speaking during the plenary session, Nominated Senator Crystal Asige said the Kanja and his deputy, Eliud Lagat, need to be relieved of their duties.
“Now, young people are being executed in a new place. It seems police stations have become the new crime scene. I want to call for the IG and his deputy who have had far too many extrajudicial killings under their belt in just one year, fired with immediate effect,” she said.
Asige said there were too many rights violated by the killing of Ojwang’.
“Why was Ojwang’ arrested without a warrant or clear explanation of the charges contrary to Article 49. Why was he transported over 350 kilometres from Homa Bay to Nairobi instead of being processed locally? On what basis was he even detained in Nairobi,” she posed.
Asige regretted that Ojwang’s’ safety was not guaranteed while in police custody as stipulated in Section 59 of the National Police Act
“DCI should not be seen anywhere near this investigation. Only IPOA has the mandate to investigate deaths and injuries caused by police officers on duty or in police custody,” she said.
Kanja confirmed that Ojwang was arrested after a complaint by Lagat, who alleged that his name had been “tarnished” on social media.
Kanja also revealed that senior officers at the Central Police Station had been interdicted in connection with the incident, pending investigations.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since launched an investigation into the matter, promising a thorough probe to determine the cause of death and any misconduct by officers involved.
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