Maraga blames President Ruto for Albert Ojwang’s murder, demands Deputy IG Lagat’s resignation
The former CJ, who is now one of Ruto's critics, has promised to join other Kenyans on June 25 in protests to push for Lagat's resignation.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has said President William Ruto should be held directly responsible for the murder of teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody.
On Monday, Maraga presented a petition to police at Nairobi’s Vigilance House, warning that if Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat does not resign by next Wednesday, protests will be held against President Ruto’s administration.
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"The buck stops with President William Ruto in the Albert Ojwang murder because Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is taking time to resign," said Maraga.
The former CJ, who is now one of Ruto's critics, has promised to join other Kenyans on June 25 in protests to push for Lagat's resignation.
"We demand that the Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lang'at resign before 25th June. Failure to do so, we will join other Kenyans to protest and demand his arrest," said Maraga.
During Maraga's presentation of the petitions, police were on high alert, cordoning off entry into Vigilance House.
Lied under oath
Maraga said there is strong evidence linking Lagat to the murder of Ojwang' and that independent investigative bodies had lied under oath in their attempt to explain the circumstances under which Ojwang' was killed.
Maraga also sharply criticised the government for failing to protect its citizens following the death of Ojwang, who died while in police custody.
Ojwang was arrested on June 7 at his home in Homa Bay for allegedly posting a social media message deemed defamatory to DIG Lagat.
He was taken to the Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he died the next day.
A post-mortem report released by a government pathologist has since confirmed that Ojwang was brutally assaulted, strangled, and tortured.
"The police killings and enforced disappearances have risen exponentially under this regime," Maraga said. "It is not normal, acceptable or defensible for enforced disappearances to rise by 450 per cent in just one year."
Maraga declared that the death of Ojwang marked a breaking point, saying it is evidence that the government has lost its legitimacy and is no longer fit to govern.
"Albert's murder is the last straw. This administration has for long taken Kenyans for granted."
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