Gachagua Demands Suspension of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat Over Death of Albert Ojwang

 

By Gideon Ngeno 

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the immediate suspension of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat following the controversial death of social media personality Albert Ojwang while in police custody.

In a strongly worded statement released on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, June 9, Gachagua accused DIG Lagat of directly ordering Ojwang’s arrest and detention without the oversight of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

 He further claimed that Ojwang’s transfer from Homa Bay to Nairobi and subsequent detention at the Central Police Station was personally directed by Lagat, who also acted as the complainant in the case.

“The Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is the complainant and the one who ordered the arrest. The alleged ‘crime’ committed by Ojwang was merely a fair comment on his social media account. Lagat must take full responsibility for this,” Gachagua’s statement read.

According to Gachagua, Ojwang was arrested on Saturday, June 7 in Homa Bay and transported to Nairobi where he was held at Central Police Station until his death on Sunday, June 8. The outspoken former second-in-command described the detention centers in Nairobi as “torture chambers,” citing alleged routine abuse of detainees.

The National Police Service (NPS) issued a statement confirming that Ojwang died from head injuries allegedly sustained after hitting his head against a wall while in custody. The incident has triggered nationwide outrage and demands for accountability from various quarters, including political leaders, civil society, and youth organizations.

In response to the incident, Inspector General Douglas Kanja announced the interdiction of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central Police Station and all officers who were on duty on the night of the incident. The IG affirmed that both disciplinary and legal action will follow after investigations are concluded.

“To enable the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation into the matter, the Inspector General has interdicted all officers on duty at Central Police Station during the incident,” the NPS statement read.

Gachagua, however, insisted that the suspension of the officers on duty was not enough, saying that justice would only be served if Deputy IG Lagat was also held accountable.

“The immediate suspension of the Deputy Inspector General is necessary for a credible and transparent investigation. No one should be above the law,” he said.

Gachagua concluded his statement by expressing solidarity with Ojwang’s family and Kenya’s youth, especially Gen Z, who have been increasingly vocal on issues of police brutality and accountability.

“To the family of Albert and the people of Homa Bay County, friends of Albert and the people of Kenya, especially the Gen Zs, I am with you in seeking justice for Albert,” he stated.

As the country awaits further updates from IPOA and the NPS, public pressure continues to mount, with activists and legal experts calling for a broader review of police operations and accountability frameworks in Kenya.