Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is at the center of a storm after being implicated in the controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang. The tragic case, which has sparked widespread public outrage and renewed calls for police accountability in Kenya, took a new turn on Monday, June 16, when damning testimony linked Lagat and other senior officers to the gruesome incident at Central Police Station Nairobi.
Timeline of Events Leading to Ojwang’s Death
Albert Ojwang, a well-known Kenyan blogger who often wrote about governance and corruption, reportedly died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody. The saga began on the night of June 7, 2025, when police constable James Mukwana was summoned by OCS Samsom Talaam at Central Police Station. According to Mukwana’s testimony to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Talaam informed him that DIG Lagat had issued a directive that an unnamed suspect would arrive at the station and was to be “dealt with” as per orders from above.
That suspect, Mukwana would later discover, was Albert Ojwang.
At around 9:00 pm, Ojwang arrived at the station in handcuffs, transported in a black Subaru. He was booked at approximately 9:20 pm. Soon after, Mukwana said, he heard chilling screams coming from Ojwang’s cell. The screams, he recounted, were followed by silence, after what he described as a brutal torture session carried out by four officers. The officers allegedly received a Ksh2,000 bribe each to execute the heinous act.
A Fatal Cover-Up
Mukwana admitted that initially, he was part of an effort to cover up the events surrounding Ojwang’s death. On June 11, he appeared before IPOA and gave a false statement that aligned with a narrative concocted by his seniors. However, plagued by guilt and fearing for his own future as blame shifted towards him, he returned to IPOA on June 12 to confess the truth.
Mukwana’s fresh testimony implicated both DIG Lagat and OCS Talaam as the architects of the plan to punish Ojwang. According to him, Ojwang was never meant to be killed — only to be “disciplined.” The fatal beating, however, left Ojwang in critical condition, bleeding from the mouth and unable to speak. Mukwana said he urged the deputy OCS to rush Ojwang to hospital, but whether the plea was acted upon in time remains unclear. By the early hours of June 8, Ojwang was dead.
Public Outcry and Calls for Justice
The murder of Albert Ojwang has reignited debate over police brutality in Kenya and the culture of impunity that protects rogue officers. Kenyans have taken to social media, using hashtags like #JusticeForOjwang and #StopPoliceBrutality, demanding swift action against those responsible.
Civil society groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Amnesty International Kenya, have called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all officers linked to Ojwang’s death, including senior officials who gave the orders.
“The death of Albert Ojwang is not an isolated case. It is part of a pattern of abuse by those entrusted to protect us. We demand accountability at the highest levels,” KHRC said in a statement.
DIG Lagat Steps Aside
In response to mounting pressure, Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat announced that he would temporarily step aside to allow IPOA investigations and internal police inquiries to proceed without interference. His decision came just hours after Mukwana’s bombshell testimony was made public.
In a brief statement, Lagat said:
“I am committed to the principles of accountability and justice. I will step aside from my duties to allow for a transparent investigation into these serious allegations.”
However, critics argue that merely stepping aside is not enough, and have urged that Lagat, Talaam, and the implicated officers face arrest and prosecution without delay.
IPOA and DPP Take Charge
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has promised a thorough investigation into the case. IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori said that the authority would leave no stone unturned in its quest for justice.
“The death of Mr. Ojwang is a grave matter. IPOA is working with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and other agencies to ensure that all those responsible, whether through direct action or command responsibility, are brought to book,” she said.
Preliminary findings indicate that the officers in custody will face charges ranging from murder to abuse of office. There is growing speculation that senior officers could soon be summoned or arrested as the net tightens around the architects of what many are calling a state-sponsored killing.
A Family’s Pain and a Nation’s Shame
Albert Ojwang’s family, still grappling with their loss, has appealed for justice, saying that no family should endure the pain they are going through.
“My brother was a good man who used his voice to highlight injustice. Now we seek justice for him,” said one of Ojwang’s siblings at a press briefing.
Kenya’s human rights activists warn that failure to take decisive action will only embolden those in power to continue violating the rights of citizens with impunity.
The Bigger Picture
The murder of Albert Ojwang underscores the urgent need for police reforms in Kenya. Despite numerous reports and recommendations, extrajudicial killings remain a persistent problem, with low conviction rates for offending officers.
Observers say that if this case is not handled firmly, it will further erode public trust in law enforcement and Kenya’s justice system.