Ojwang death: Ipoa summons DIG Eliud Lagat
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. He stepped aside on June 16, 2025 over the death of teacher Albert Ojwang.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has summoned Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat to record a statement in connection with the death of Albert Ojwang.
Mr Lagat, who stepped aside a few days ago to allow investigations to proceed, is expected to appear on Thursday at the Ipoa offices to provide a statement regarding the circumstances under which Mr Ojwang was killed while in custody.
He is the complainant who ordered the arrest of the teacher-cum-blogger, alleging defamation through a post that Ojwang had shared on X (formerly Twitter).
IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan confirmed it had “found a basis” to summon the high-ranking police official.
The move signals an intent to probe the chain of command and potential systemic failures surrounding Ojwang’s death, which occurred at Central Police Station in Nairobi.
A total of 20 police officers, including the Central Police Station Deputy OCS Samuel Ng’ang’a, have recorded statements.
Mr Ng’ang’a was arrested on Tuesday and is currently being held at Muthaiga Police Station.
Inmates Brian Mwaniki Njue, Collins Karani and Gin Ammitou—who were present at the Central Police Station on the day of the incident—have also been presented before various courts.
The summoning of the top police boss comes after police constable James Mukhwana, one of the officers arrested in connection with Ojwang’s death, claimed in a sworn affidavit that directives on how to handle the late Ojwang and the subsequent cover-up, came from senior police ranks, including DIG Lagat.
James Mukhwana, the main suspect in the murder of Albert Ojwang arraigned at Milimani Law Court on June 13, 2025, as IPOA seeks to detain him for 21 days to allow investigation.
Mr Mukhwana, who remains in custody after being arraigned earlier this week, told investigators that he and his colleagues acted “under orders from above,” specifically citing a phone call from a senior officer believed to have been conveying instructions on behalf of Lagat.
Ipoa also said it is investigating the alleged tampering of CCTV footage at Central Police Station.
Mr Kelvin Mutisya Mutava is accused of interfering with digital video recordings. The authority confirmed it had seized the DVR unit and submitted biological samples for forensic analysis.
“The Authority is confident that by early next week, the investigation file with recommendations to charge various suspects will be ready,” said Mr Hassan. He reaffirmed that there would be “no sacred cows” and that justice would be pursued “at all levels.”
The agency has also made a formal request to mobile service providers for the release of call data records for persons of interest, further indicating a widening web of communication that may support allegations of senior-level involvement.
The summoning of Mr Lagat marks a turning point in the ongoing investigations. It is the first time a sitting Deputy Inspector General is being directly investigated in a custodial death case.
Ipoa also reported that at least 13 people were seriously injured during Tuesday’s protests, including hawker Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, who remains in intensive care after reportedly being shot at close range.