Gachagua demands prosecution of DIG Lagat over Albert Ojwang’s death in police custody

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has linked Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat to the death in custody of 26-year-old Albert Ojwang, demanding his immediate suspension and prosecution over the incident.

Gachagua, in a statement on Monday, alleged that Ojwang’s death was part of a broader pattern of police brutality and state-sponsored killings targeting Gen Zs under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“Albert Ojwang’s brutal murder in the hands of police officers has revived the painful wounds of the tens of Gen Zs killed by security agencies under the Ruto administration,” Gachagua said.

The former deputy president claimed that Ojwang was arrested for a social media post criticising DIG Lagat, who was also the complainant in the matter. He alleged that Lagat ordered Ojwang’s arrest and must, therefore, bear full responsibility for his death in police custody.

“Suspending junior officers at Central Police Station is hoodwinking Kenyans. For any meaningful investigation, Mr Eliud Lagat must be suspended immediately,” Gachagua said, further accusing Lagat of operating Central and Kamukunji police stations “without the knowledge of the Inspector General of Police”.

Mwiki church attack

He also linked Lagat to an earlier incident in April 2025, where police reportedly withdrew from a church service in Mwiki, allowing an alleged attack on Gachagua and his supporters.

The allegations come amid national uproar following the death of Albert Ojwang, who was arrested by DCI officers at his family home in Kakot, Homa Bay County on Saturday over what police described as a “false publication” on social media.

Ojwang was first held at Mawego Police Station before being transferred overnight to Nairobi’s Central Police Station.

According to his family, Ojwang was in good health during his arrest and had been expected to appear in court on Monday. But when his father, Meshack Opiyo, arrived at the Nairobi station on Sunday, officers told him his son had died by “repeatedly hitting his head against the wall” in his cell.

“He was arrested while having lunch with us after returning from the farm. The arresting officers claimed he had insulted a senior person on X. On Sunday, I was told he had hit himself and died. That story doesn’t make sense,” Opiyo said.

A police report claimed that officers conducting a routine check on the cells found Ojwang with a head injury. He was allegedly rushed to Mbagathi Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

In a statement, National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed that Ojwang “sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall,” and said the matter had been referred to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for investigation.

But the family, lawyers, and human rights groups have rejected the police version of events, terming it a cover-up.

The Kenya Youth Association (KYA) termed Ojwang’s death a “state-sanctioned murder” and accused the police of abducting, torturing, and executing the 26-year-old in custody. They directly blamed DIG Lagat for commanding the operation.

Other Topics To Read

• National
• Police Brutality
• Central Police Station
• Gen Z
• Deputy Inspector General of Police
• Albert Ojwang
• DIG Eliud Lagat
• state-sponsored killing
• Gachagua demands prosecution of DIG Lagat over Albert Ojwang’s death in police custody
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“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 Eliud Lagat, under whose command this crime occurred,” read the statement from KYA.

Gen Z protests

The association drew parallels with the 2024 GenZ-led protests against the Finance Bill, during which several young Kenyans were allegedly abducted, tortured, or killed by state agents.

“We have not forgotten the chilling images of young bodies dumped like trash. And we have not forgotten the so-called ‘apology’ from President William Ruto, now exposed as pure hogwash,” said KYA.

The group demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all police officers involved in the arrest and death of Ojwang. They called for the prompt suspension and thorough investigation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

The group also insisted on the public release of all detention records from Central Police Station and urged key oversight bodies, including IPOA, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and Parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, to move beyond investigations and ensure prosecutions of those responsible.

Mass action

KYA warned of mass action should justice be denied.

“If justice is not served, if those behind this heinous crime are not held to account, then we will take Albert Ojwang’s body and march with it to Eliud Lagat’s office,” the group said.

“This is not a threat. This is a promise of constitutional resistance in the face of tyranny.”

Gachagua echoed similar sentiments, accusing Ruto’s government of turning Kenya into a “mafia state” and describing the coalition government as “blood-based.”

“There has been no worse mutilation of our freedoms in Kenya than under this regime. The so-called broad-based government is powered by the blood of Gen Z. Mr President, leave our children alone,” he said.

Quoting the Bible, Gachagua warned that justice for Albert Ojwang cannot be silenced.

“‘The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground’ (Genesis 4:10),” he said.