Nairobi – Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is facing mounting pressure to resign following the death of Albert Ojwang, who died under controversial circumstances while in police custody.
Ojwang was being held at Nairobi’s Central Police Station after allegedly defaming DIG Lagat on social media. He was later found unconscious in his cell and rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with human rights organizations, political leaders, and members of the public calling for Lagat’s immediate resignation and prosecution.
On Monday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that Ojwang’s arrest followed a complaint filed by DIG Lagat, who accused him of spreading defamatory content online.
“The reason why the late Albert Ojwang was arrested, along with others, was due to a formal complaint from the Deputy IG regarding damage to his reputation,” Kanja told journalists.
Public anger has intensified as questions mount over the circumstances of Ojwang’s death, which occurred less than 24 hours after his detention. Many Kenyans have rejected the official explanation and are demanding a full, transparent investigation.
The Kenya Youth Association (KYA) issued a scathing statement condemning Ojwang’s death as a “state-sanctioned murder,” dismissing police claims that he “hit his head on the wall” as a gross insult to public intelligence.
“Albert was forcibly brought to Nairobi, detained at Central Police Station, and within hours, he was dead,” the statement read. “The crude police narrative is not only false—it is a blatant cover-up. Albert was murdered in state custody. His blood is on the hands of those who arrested him, those who detained him, and the senior officers, including DIG Eliud Lagat, under whose authority this occurred.”
KYA also linked Ojwang’s death to what it described as a broader pattern of state violence and repression, referencing abductions and killings during the 2024 Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill. The group accused police of returning to a dark legacy of extrajudicial killings and systematic disregard for constitutional rights.
They are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all officers involved, including DIG Lagat.
International Justice Mission (IJM) Kenya also condemned the incident, urging authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation.
“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody at Central Police Station,” said Vincent Chahale, IJM Kenya’s Country Director.
As national outrage grows, civil society groups continue to demand accountability—not only for Ojwang, but for all victims of police abuse—warning that without justice, public trust in law enforcement will continue to erode.
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