Gachagua Demands Suspension of Deputy IG Eliud Lagat Over Death of Albert Ojwang
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the immediate suspension of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat following the controversial death of Albert Ojwang at Nairobi’s Central Police Station on Sunday, June 8.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, June 9, Gachagua accused Deputy IG Lagat of ordering Ojwang’s arrest on Saturday, June 7. He further alleged that Lagat personally oversees operations at both Kamukunji and Central Police Stations in Nairobi, bypassing the authority of Inspector General Douglas Kanja.
According to Gachagua, Ojwang—who was apprehended in Homa Bay and transferred to Nairobi—was targeted for criticizing Lagat in a social media post. The former DP claimed that Ojwang’s death was not accidental, as police reports suggest, but a deliberate act that requires independent investigation.
“The Deputy IG is both the complainant and the one who issued the arrest order over a comment made online. He must take full responsibility for this murder,” Gachagua stated.
He alleged that the two police stations have become known for unlawful detentions and abuse, branding them as “torture chambers.” Gachagua insisted that suspending Lagat is essential to allow transparent and credible investigations into Ojwang’s death.
The police had earlier claimed that Ojwang sustained fatal head injuries after hitting a wall while in custody. However, the incident has sparked national outrage, especially among Gen Z activists and the online community, who are demanding justice.
“This tragic death is a reflection of the government’s efforts to silence the youth and suppress free expression on social media,” Gachagua added, expressing solidarity with Ojwang’s family and supporters in Homa Bay and across the country.
In response to growing public pressure, Inspector General Douglas Kanja announced the interdiction of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central Police Station and all officers on duty the night Ojwang died. The National Police Service (NPS) also confirmed that disciplinary and legal measures will follow the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.
“To ensure a thorough, impartial, and swift investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the IG has ordered the immediate interdiction of all officers involved,” read the NPS statement.
