Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi has launched a fierce attack on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Havi accused Murkomen of being an opportunist in calamities by turning national crises into business opportunities.
Speaking during an interview on K24 TV, Havi labelled Murkomen an “opportunist in any calamity,” suggesting that the CS is more focused on exploiting emergencies than addressing them.
“When the CS Interior Kipchumba Murkomen said that we need to have all police stations with CCTV, you see the problem with Murkomen is that he is an opportunist in any calamity. If it rains at the airport, he sees a tender. If there’s trouble at a police station, he still sees a tender. It’s chaotic,” Havi said.
This comes after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced reforms in the National Police Service following the death of Ojwang. Speaking at Harambee House on Monday, June 16, 2025, Murkomen said the government is determined to restore public trust by addressing long-standing issues of police misconduct and systemic failures within the service.
Key among the reforms are the restructuring and vetting of the Internal Affairs Unit and establishing an independent civilian oversight board to handle complaints against police officers.
Murkomen also pledged legal amendments to empower IPOA, ensure timely disciplinary action, and promote greater transparency and accountability in police operations.
Among the measures announced is the mandatory installation of CCTV surveillance systems in all 1,209 police stations across the country.
Albert Ojwang’ died under mysterious circumstances in police custody. A post-mortem report revealed signs of torture and blunt force trauma, directly contradicting earlier police claims that he had harmed himself.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation and renewed pressure on the government to crack down on extrajudicial killings and hold rogue officers accountable.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has led calls for the resignation of Inspector General Japhet Koome and the overhaul of the National Police Service (NPS), terming the killing a “gross abuse of power.”
Havi’s sharp criticism of Murkomen adds a new dimension to the growing crisis of public confidence in the country’s security agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). Many Kenyans feel justice remains elusive in cases involving police brutality.
President William Ruto has since ordered an investigation into Ojwang’s death, terming it a “heartbreaking and unacceptable loss.” However, critics argue the government’s response has been slow and lacks the urgency such a case demands.
As the push for justice intensifies, Havi’s remarks reflect a broader frustration with perceived government inaction and the politicisation of crises. His pointed swipe at Murkomen raises tough questions about the Interior Ministry’s priorities and its ability to uphold justice and human rights.
Ojwang’s death has now become a rallying point in the fight against impunity placing more pressure on senior officials to act decisively or step aside.
