- Are there some Kenyans who are more Kenyan than other. Are we to believe that we are brothers and sisters or cousins for that matter?
Garissa Senator Abdul Mohammed Haji has cautioned Parliament against selective outrage over extrajudicial killings, warning that politicizing such tragedies could deepen national divisions and fuel unrest.
Speaking on June 11, 2025, during a special Senate sitting convened to question Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Dauglas Kanja over the death of Albert Ojwang, a suspect who died in police custody, Senator Haji questioned the inconsistency in how Parliament addresses such cases.
“Today is a special day; it is unprecedented that we have held a special sitting to discuss the death of a Kenyan. I hope this sets a precedent that will benefit all Kenyans,” said Haji.
He contrasted the attention given to Ojwang’s case with the Senate’s silence on a previous incident in Turkana County, where 44 fishermen were reportedly killed, as highlighted by the area Senator James Lomenen. According to Haji, neither Parliament nor the media demanded a similar inquiry.
“Are there some Kenyans who are more Kenyan than others. Are we to believe that we are brothers and sisters or cousins for that matter?" the Senator asked.
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“The life of any Kenyan, anywhere, must be important to all of us,” he added.
Haji also warned against inflammatory rhetoric from some leaders, accusing them of encouraging unrest reminiscent of the Arab Spring uprisings.
He pointedly referenced remarks by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Kitui Senator Enock Wambua, cautioning that such language may incite young people and destabilize the country.
“Any seed we sow today, we will reap. If we sow discord and inequality, it will be unfortunate,” he added.
Senator Haji also recalled a case in Garissa, where six young people were allegedly killed by security forces, and two years later, no justice has been served. He emphasized that justice must be blind to geography, ethnicity, or political affiliations.
“Someone will fault me that I may be related to someone in government, but I am a patriot first. We must remain sincere and agree that we are brothers and sisters,” he emphasized.
During his 10-minute address, Haji challenged the Interior Ministry to clarify whether all police stations are fitted with functioning CCTV cameras, and if so, whether those at the station where Ojwang was detained were operational at the time of his booking.
“We risk becoming a country where some do not feel the pain of others. When that happens, we lose our humanity,” he concluded.
The Senate continues to probe the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death, as public outcry and calls for police reform grow louder across the country.
