Pressure mounts on DIG Lagat as arrest looms for 3 over Ojwang’s murder

Things are getting more complicated for Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat in relation to the murder of Albert Ojwang’, with oversight bodies intensifying investigations.

For the first time, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has indicated it will summon Lagat to provide critical testimony in connection with Ojwang’s torture and subsequent death.

As public pressure increased on the DIG to step aside, demonstrations erupted in Nairobi’s central business district, with protestors calling for accountability.

The protests, which had been building for days, turned chaotic after demonstrators set two vehicles on fire and vandalised property.

IPOA made its announcement after Lagat’s boss, Inspector General Douglas Kanja, said the DIG would be required to step aside if the ongoing investigations by IPOA point to his involvement.

“I believe, if the DIG is going to be mentioned, then definitely he will write a statement… It is on that basis that he can be able to step aside to allow for the completion of that investigation," Kanja told Parliament.

At the same Security Committee of the National Assembly, IPOA chairperson Issack Hassan confirmed the plan to have Lagat record a statement after other witnesses.

“We are going to summon him (DIG Lagat). Our investigators advised us that they first take statements from the other witnesses before him,” Hassan said.

IPOA then entered a closed-door session with MPs, during which it emerged that the Authority had identified three officers for potential prosecution.

“In fact, IPOA is seeking to arrest three suspects as we speak and has requested the assistance of the Inspector General of Police to effect the arrests,” Committee Chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo told Parliament.

Lagat is the complainant in the case against Ojwang’, who was picked from his home in Homa Bay and later died in police custody in Nairobi.

There has been sustained public pressure for the DIG to step aside to ensure the integrity of the probe.

Kisumu Town West MP Rosa Buyu, a member of the Security Committee, raised concerns over the DIG’s continued involvement while investigations are ongoing.

“Initial complaints were made by the DIG, who is in charge of the National Police Service (NPS), all the names being investigated are people he is in charge of. Being the DIG, don't you think for better investigation he should step aside so that the other officers don’t feel intimidated?” Buyu posed.

So far, IPOA has interviewed 23 witnesses, including the five arresting officers who travelled to Homa Bay, officers on duty at Central Police Station, and others who were in custody on the day of the incident.

The Authority reported to the Tongoyo-led team that it had encountered a significant cover-up, particularly at Central Police Station, where Ojwang’ died.

MPs were informed about the tampering of CCTV footage linked to the events of the incident.

According to IPOA, digital video recorder (DVR) logs showed that hard disks of the CCTV system were replaced and formatted on June 8, between 07:23:29 and 07:23:48 hours.

“Somebody called someone to come and switch off a particular section, but he said he could only shut down the entire system,” Hassan said.

IG Kanja told the committee that Ojwang’ was booked at the station under Occurrence Book number 136/7/6/2025 at 21:35 hours on June 7.

Hassan recounted finding a pool of blood in the cell where Ojwang’ had been held and emphasised that IPOA would not condone any form of cover-up.

“I want to assure the committee and the public that IPOA is not going to be used as a fire extinguisher – to put out fires of police misconduct. We will not be used for cover-ups,” he stated.

Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, Hassan requested a private session with the committee.

“There is information we cannot reveal here in public and we ask for a private session with the committee so that we can share that,” he said.

In that closed session, IPOA is reported to have informed MPs of plans for high-profile arrests related to the case.

Sources present said the Authority had already informed the Inspector General of Police about the planned arrests.

“They told us to expect some arrests in the course of the day (Thursday). They did not disclose the names of those to be arrested, so we are just waiting,” an MP told The Star.

During the public session, MPs expressed concern over inconsistencies in the timeline and facts presented by the police regarding Ojwang’s arrest and death.

One such inconsistency was the date of arrest. While police records indicate the arrest occurred on Saturday, Ojwang’s father, Meshack Ojwang’, told the committee his son was picked up on Friday.

“There is confusion on when the victim was picked. The father said Friday and you said on Saturday. You need to come clear on this,” Tongoyo said.

Police earlier claimed Ojwang’ was found dead in a solitary cell, with preliminary reports suggesting suicide. However, records from the Occurrence Book indicate he was found alive, shouting and kicking the wall that morning.

Legislators also questioned the swift actions taken following the DIG’s complaint — including the immediate formation of a team, referral of the case to the Serious Crimes Unit, engagement with the Communications Authority of Kenya, and the tracing of an offending account.

“There is need for consistency. We want to know the timings when the complaint was lodged, committee set up, CA reached on that June 4,” said Suna West MP Peter Masara.