Calls mount for Police DIG Eliud Lagat’s arrest and prosecution over Albert Ojwang’s death in custody

Human rights groups, political leaders, and outraged Kenyans are demanding the immediate resignation and prosecution of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat following the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody.

On Monday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that DIG Lagat was the complainant who filed a report against the late Ojwang, accusing him of spreading misinformation about him on social media.

While addressing journalists, Kanja said the arrest was prompted by concerns raised by Lagat over online content that allegedly defamed him.

“The reason why the late Albert Ojwang was arrested together with a few others is because there was a complaint that had been launched by the DIG about his name being tarnished,” Kanja said.

Kenyans have now intensified calls for justice and accountability, with public anger mounting over the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death at Central Police Station, Nairobi, where he was held in custody before being pronounced dead less than 24 hours after his arrest.

'State-sanctioned murder'

The Kenya Youth Association (KYA) has blamed state agencies for what it termed the “state-sanctioned murder” of Ojwang, a youth from Homa Bay County who was outspoken online.

“Albert was forcefully taken to Nairobi, detained at the Central Police Station, and within less than a day, he was dead. The absurd police narrative that he ‘hit his head on the wall’ is not just false—it is a crude insult to the intelligence and dignity of the Kenyan people,” read KYA's statement.

“Let it be stated clearly: Albert was murdered in state custody. His blood is on the hands of those who arrested him, those who detained him, and every senior officer, including Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, under whose command this crime occurred.”

Police repression

The youth group drew links between Ojwang’s death and what it described as a pattern of police repression, referencing the abductions and killings that marred the 2024 Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill. The group accused the police of reverting to the dark days of extrajudicial killings and disregard for constitutional protections.

KYA demanded the immediate arrest of all officers implicated in the case, including Lagat.

“Immediate arrest and prosecution of all police officers involved in the arrest, torture, and murder of Albert Ojwang,” the group said.

International Justice Mission (IJM) Kenya also condemned Ojwang’s death, urging authorities to ensure a fair and independent investigation.

“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody at Central Police Station, Nairobi,” IJM’s Country Director Vincent Chahale said.

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“We welcome the swift action taken by the Inspector General of Police, who has interdicted the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and all officers who were on duty at the time of Albert’s death. This is a critical step toward ensuring a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation.”

Chahale also commended the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for launching a probe into the incident, noting that a post-mortem would be done to establish the actual cause of death. He called on all relevant institutions to act with urgency, transparency, and integrity.

Credible investigations

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also called for the immediate suspension of DIG Lagat to pave the way for credible investigations.

“The Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is the complainant, and the one who ordered the apprehension in the alleged ‘crime’ that Ojwang committed was making a fair comment on his social media account,” Gachagua wrote on X.

He further claimed that Lagat personally controls the operations of Kamukunji and Central police stations without the oversight of the Inspector General.

“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 said.

According to police, Ojwang allegedly hit his head against a wall in his cell, leading to fatal injuries, a claim that has sparked widespread disbelief and condemnation online and offline.

Call for Lagat’s resignation

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji called for the immediate arrest of all officers involved and demanded Lagat’s resignation, saying police must start issuing public alerts when making arrests to improve transparency.

Other voices from civil society and the education sector echoed the same demands.

“DIG Eliud Lagat must resign and face the law. He should have sued Albert Ojwang and not used extra-judicial means,” X user Sitati Wasilwa said.

“This is the man who should resign or be arrested for Albert Ojwang’s death. He not only arrested him, but also used government resources to bring him to Nairobi on Friday, and he knows what happened,” Teacher Amunga added.

Activist Dergata 254 added, “Arrest and charge Eliud Lagat immediately. He should also be fired.”

A post-mortem is expected to determine the real cause of Ojwang’s death as pressure continues to mount on police leadership to explain how a young Kenyan died after being arrested over a social media post.