Are there cousins who are more equal than others? Why is the killing of Turkana’s and Somalis any different from others?

Garissa Senator Abdul Haji on Albert Ojwang’s Death: “Are There Cousins Who Are More Equal Than Others?”

Garissa Senator Abdul Haji publicly criticized the Senate’s inconsistent approach to investigating deaths in police custody following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang. During a special Senate sitting in June 2025, he questioned why Ojwang’s death received exceptional national attention while similar tragedies in marginalized communities were largely ignored.

Haji argued that there must be fairness in the country and that the life of every Kenyan, regardless of where they come from, should be equally valued. He stated that the killing of one Kenyan, from any part of the country, should receive the same level of scrutiny and seriousness as any other.

He passionately compared Ojwang’s death to the reported killing of 40 Turkana fishermen, whose deaths, he said, did not provoke a similar response from senators or the media. He also referenced the killing of six youths from Garissa, who were allegedly mercilessly gunned down in what he described as execution-style killings, forced to kneel before being shot. According to Haji, these incidents received little national attention and were largely ignored by the media.

Haji’s remarks raised concerns about unequal attention to victims of alleged state violence and called for equal justice, accountability, and public concern for all Kenyans.