Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat.
Pressure is mounting on Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat, who reportedly filed a complaint that led to the arrest and eventual killing of Albert Ojwang’ in police custody, to step aside.
The public, lawmakers, opposition leaders, civil society groups and foreign embassies have called for Mr Lagat to step aside or be suspended to allow independent investigations.
Ojwang’, 31, was killed hours after he was arrested from his rural home in Homa Bay last Saturday, triggering national outrage, protests and demands that his killers be punished.
The main argument from all quarters is that Mr Lagat’s stay in office is not tenable given that it is his complaint that triggered the chain of events leading to the killing, and his resignation or suspension will assure the public that the investigations will be interfered with.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) Deputy Chairperson Ann Wanjiku were grilled for hours at the Senate on Wednesday over the killing.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ pressed Mr Kanja on why Mr Lagat is still in office yet he is a person of interest in the investigation.
“Can the IG and CS (Kipchumba Murkomen) tell us why? You cannot be in office still having authority and power yet you are the person being investigated? Kenyans don’t just want to see him stepping aside but also going to the police station to record a statement,” said Mr Kajwang’.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu questioned the speed with which the complaint against Ojwang’ was made, investigations done and arrest made.
“CS Murkomen should also tell us why Lagat is still in office or is he very important that if he steps aside the entire police system will crumble? How special is he?” Mr Nyutu asked.
“We must ask ourselves many questions. IG must tell us why Ojwang’ was held in a cell alone. The problem we are having identifying who committed the crime is because there are no witnesses because he was held alone,” he added.
Senators were stunned when they were informed by Ipoa that CCTV footage at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where Ojwang was detained, had been tampered with.
They were also enraged with Mr Kanja’s responses to questions as he kept passing the buck to Ipoa, saying the investigation by the authority will answer most of the questions that have been raised.
“We are waiting for answers from Ipoa and we are looking forward to the recommendations they will issue,” said Mr Kanja.
The Inspector General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja before the Senate in Nairobi on June 11, 2025.
“Either you (Kanja) are being economical with the truth or just being a hostile witness. How can the IG be the same person deflecting everything to the Ipoa?” Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale asked.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga said: “I don’t think the DIG was an innocent complainant in this matter and his role must be investigated.”
The police’s response to Ojwang’s murder also seemed to irk President William Ruto, who rarely criticises the police’s excesses. The President, in a statement, condemned the police’s actions and “omissions that may have contributed to Ojwang’s death” and asked the police “to eradicate unprofessional behaviour within its ranks”.
“I therefore call on the National Police Service to fully cooperate with Ipoa and to take every necessary measure to facilitate a swift, transparent and credible investigation into the death of Ojwang’,” President Ruto said.
Less than two kilometres from the Senate, four human rights activists—Julius Ogogoh, Khelef Khalifa, Francis Auma and Peter Agoro—filed a petition at Milimani Law Courts seeking to privately prosecute Mr Lagat over Ojwang’s death. They also want him barred from office, the investigation process, and any contact with witnesses, pending his arraignment. They accuse the police of failing to take appropriate action despite the gravity of the case.
Mr Ogogoh argues in an affidavit that the seriousness of the matter calls for criminal prosecution, not internal disciplinary measures, particularly since Mr Lagat is the second-in-command in the police force.
The activists cite a lack of transparency, noting that no Occurrence Book number was provided for the complaint Mr Lagat allegedly made against Ojwang’. They also criticise the suspension of only junior officers, terming it a cover-up.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja addresses journalists on June 9, 2025 at Central Police Station where Albert Ojwang is reported to have died while in police custody. He is flanked by his deputies Eliud Lagat (left) and Gilbert Masengeli (second left).
As the court received this file, a consortium of 27 groups under the banner of the Police Reforms Working Group were at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) headquarters calling for Mr Lagat’s suspension, and without compensation.
Independent Medico-Legal Unit Executive Director Wangechi Grace demanded for the immediate suspension of Mr Lagat.
“Post-mortem examination results showed that Ojwang’ was tortured and murdered and that he did not die of self-inflicted injuries as earlier claimed by the police. We call for the immediate stepping aside of DIG Lagat. Mr Lagat must, in the public interest, allow for an impartial and speedy investigation, which cannot be the case if the complainant is at the helm of the investigation,” she said.
The group also wants Ipoa to immediately summon and take statements from Mr Lagat and all other officers who were involved in the arrest, booking and detention of Ojwang’.
KHRC Executive Director Davis Malombe said NPS Spokesperson Michael Muchiri, who released the first press statement informing the public that Ojwang died from hitting his head against a wall in the cell, should also be summoned.
“It is the responsibility of the police spokesperson to confirm information before bringing it to the public domain. He, just like DIG Lagat, must be summoned by Ipoa and be questioned on why he misled the public,” he said.
Ms Wanjiku told the Senate that the authority had commenced taking statements from the officers implicated. She was also the one who revealed that CCTV footage from the station had been tampered with.
“The key findings were that the CCTV systems at the OCS’s office had been tampered with,” she said, before adding that five officers were involved in the arrest of Ojwang—sergeants Sigei and Wesley Kipkorir Kirui, and constables Dennis Kinyoni, Milton Mwanze and Boniface Rabudo.
The United States and embassy and the United Kingdom’s High Commission called for a thorough investigation into the killing.
Through its official X handle, the US embassy said: “The embassy supports calls from government, parliamentarians and Kenyan citizens for accountability through a transparent investigation. The Embassy urges Ipoa to conduct its investigations swiftly and thoroughly.”
Suffered torture under a rogue police
The UK High Commission said in its statement on X: “We echo calls for a swift, independent and thorough investigation into his death in custody. Rule of law, accountability and free speech are vital pillars of democracy.”
In Mombasa, some human rights activists, led by Peter Kazungu of Haki Yetu Organisation, demanded the immediate resignation of Mr Lagat and condemned Ojwang’s death terming it a blatant abuse of power by rogue officers.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the murder of Albert Ojwang’. He suffered torture under a rogue police service,” Mr Kazungu said.
The activists linked the killing to a broader trend of police impunity, citing the unresolved deaths of more than 64 youth during last year’s anti-tax protests, largely led by the Gen Z.
“It has been a year since the deaths of young protesters, yet we have no answers... Before DIG Lagat steps aside, there can be no justice. Junior officers cannot act if their boss is still in office,” said Mr Kazungu.
The group insisted that all cases involving custodial deaths must be independently and thoroughly investigated.
The activists drew parallels between Ojwang’s death and past atrocities such as the Wagalla Massacre, the 2007/2008 post-election violence and recent unexplained killings that have been widely linked to the police.
Ms Khalfan Mweupe described the deaths of young people as “a disturbing trend that has become normalised”.
“Albert is just one of many. Our leaders, including those in education like TSC [Teachers Service Commission] and Kuppet [Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers], must speak up. He was a fellow teacher,” she said.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi (center), flanked by Eugene Wamalwa, Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua addresses journalists in Nairobi on June 11, 2025 over the murder of Albert Ojwang in police custody.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, in a joint statement, issued an ultimatum to the government to arrest and arraign Mr Lagat.
“We are calling not just for the resignation but for the arrest and arraignment in court of Lagat within 24 hours from issuance of this statement,” Mr Muturi said.
The opposition also blasted the Director of Public Prosecutions for setting seven days to investigate the matter, terming it a diversionary tactic.
“This is a cover-up and a passionate tactic to delay this matter. The mandate of the DPP under the constitution of Kenya is to direct the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, in writing, to do an investigation, not to direct Ipoa,” they said.
The opposition chiefs also urged the police to release the CCTV footage covering the time between when Ojwang’ was brought to the station and when they took him to Mbagathi Hospital.
Reporting by Steve Otieno, Collins Omullo, Sam Kiplagat, Kevin Cheruiyot and Brian Wachira
