Editor's Review

“Suspending junior officers at Central Police Station is hoodwinking Kenyans. For any meaningful investigations to be done, Eliud Lagat must be suspended immediately."

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has blamed the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, for the death of social media influencer Albert Ojwang. 

In a statement on Monday, June 9, Gachagua claimed that Lagat was the one who ordered the arrest of Ojwang following a social media post he made. 

“The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Eliud Lagat, is the complainant, and the one who ordered the arrest in the alleged 'crime' that Ojwang committed was making a fair comment on his social media account on Mr. Eliud Lagat. He must take full responsibility for this murder,” read part of the statement.

The former DP also alleged that Lagat operates Kamukunji Police Station and Central Police Station without the knowledge of Police IG Douglas Kanja.

“Lagat is personally operating Kamukunji Police Station and Central Police Station without the knowledge of the police IG. People are complaining that those two stations have become the new torture chambers. That is the reason Albert had to be moved from Homa Bay to Central Police Station in Nairobi,” he claimed.

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File image of the late Albert Ojwang. 

Gachagua called for the immediate suspension of DIG Lagat pending investigations into the death of Ojwang.

The DCP Party leader pointed out that the suspension of junior police officers at Central Police Station is duping Kenyans.

“Suspending junior officers at Central Police Station is hoodwinking Kenyans. For any meaningful investigations to be done, Mr. Eliud Lagat must be suspended immediately,” Gachagua demanded.

At the same time, Gachagua said the death of Ojwang in custody revives painful wounds of Gen Zs who have been killed by security agencies.

“To the family of Albert and the people of HomaBay County, friends of Albert and the people of Kenya, especially the GenZs, I stand with you in seeking justice for Albert, whose murder has fingers pointed to this cowardly regime,” he added.

The National Police Service (NPS) in a statement on Sunday said Ojwang sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall while in Central Police Station.

Ojwang was taken to Mbagathi Hospital but succumbed to the injuries on arrival.

Ojwang's death triggered widespread outrage on social media, with netizens alleging foul play and vowing to stage a protest at Central Police Station.

Following the uproar, IG Kanja ordered the interdiction of several officers attached to the Central Police Station.

The suspended officers include: the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), the duty officer on duty during the night in question, and the cell sentry on duty at the time.