How Ojwang's murder exposes rot in elite class

The murder of Albert Ojwang’ in police custody is a reminder of the many things wrong with Kenya’s ruling elites. There is basic lack of humanity. Who tortures a young father to death, and then proceeds to cook up half-baked lies about the act?

There is complete lack of foresight or sense of prioritisation in use of public resources. Why was this case such a priority for the DCI?

Aren’t there dozens of unsolved murders and crimes they should have been working on? Then there is basic unthinking criminality. How did multiple adults contemplate that they could convince the public that Ojwang committed suicide?

It bears observing that the Inspector General of Police only recanted his statement after contradictory evidence emerged. There was no effort to get to the bottom of the truth before going to press on his part. And if there was, a deliberate decision was made to mislead the public. Either way, this was a most shameful act.

Before his murder, majority of Kenyans had not heard of Ojwang’s alleged posts on social media. Why did state resources get mobilised to arrest, torture and murder him?

We were told of the swiftness with which multiple government agencies acted – the police’s investigative arm, the anti-corruption commission, and other agencies that have since denied involvement – in coming up with reasons to arrest Ojwang.

Was this a reasonable response? Where is this same level of urgency and diligence when dealing with real problems afflicting everyday Kenyans? How did those involved think they would get away with it?

The murder of Ojwang also exposed the stuntedness of our political leadership. In sane countries, when a police force engages in the kinds of criminality and abuse of office that led to Ojwang’s murder, senior people take responsibility. People resign. Those in charge are ashamed and show remorse. There is an honest effort at reforms. Not in Kenya.

Here, small men and women in charge choose lies over truth. Then they tried other distractions to shift the media narrative. When that failed, and there was a sense that public outrage would not abate, they resorted to the palliative move of being economical with the truth.

Senior leadership in the police and the executive should have demonstrated a more decisive response to this murder.

Where do we go from here? First, there should be a concerted push for justice for Ojwang’s family and other victims of state violence. Individuals must be held responsible, and jailed. Beyond that, Kenyans must continue to insist on preservation of our decency as a society.

We must reject the thieving violence of those who rule us. We must never accept to be lowered to their level of moral corruption. We must hold on to the ideal of a Kenya that cares for Kenyans.

The writer is an Associate Professor at Georgetown University