Father of Late Albert Ojwang Petitions Court to Arrest DIG Lagat Over Alleged Custodial Killing

 

By Phanice Rono 

 A fresh push for accountability in the alleged custodial killing of 28-year-old Albert Ojwang has intensified after his father, Meshack Ojwang, filed a petition seeking the arrest and prosecution of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat. The petition, submitted in June 2025, urges the courts to charge the senior police officer with murder, accusing him of directing the abduction, torture, and eventual death of his son.

In a sworn affidavit, Meshack Ojwang describes Albert as a “law-abiding Kenyan citizen” who was allegedly arrested on 7 June 2025 at their home by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He claims the officers acted under direct orders from DIG Lagat. Albert was reportedly taken to the Nairobi Central Police Station, where he is alleged to have been beaten, humiliated, and strangled while in custody.

Police reports had suggested that Albert died after “banging his head against a cell wall,” but the family says medical and autopsy findings contradict that account. According to the affidavit, the postmortem results point to severe injuries consistent with torture.

Although several junior officers have been charged and are currently on trial at the High Court in Kibera, Ojwang argues that the prosecution of lower-ranking officers amounts to a deliberate attempt to shield the senior official he believes orchestrated the operation. He is requesting the court to halt the ongoing trial of the junior officers and to order the immediate arrest and charging of DIG Lagat as the principal suspect.

The case has fueled national debate, with civil society groups, human rights advocates, and members of the public criticizing the police for what they perceive as selective justice. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is among several prominent leaders who have called for the arrest of DIG Lagat, describing the incident as an “extrajudicial killing” that demands full accountability.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is reportedly investigating the death, and a number of lower-ranking officers have been interdicted. However, critics say the measures fall short without addressing DIG Lagat’s alleged command responsibility.

For the Ojwang family, the petition represents a crucial step in their pursuit of justice. Meshack Ojwang insists that the case cannot move forward until all those allegedly involved—especially senior figures—face the courts.

As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of the petition is expected to have far-reaching implications for accountability in cases involving deaths in police custody, particularly where high-ranking officers are implicated.