People’s Liberation Party (PLP) party leader Martha Karua has demanded the immediate suspension of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Kenya Police Service (KPS), Eliud Lagat, over the death of Albert Ojwang.
Taking to her official X account on the night of Monday, June 9, 2025, Karua stated that Lagat should be relieved of his duties to allow investigations into the role he might have played in the death of Ojwang since he has been identified as the main complainant in the blogger’s arrest.
“@NPSOfficial_KE @IG_NPS on Eliud Langat, the DIG and complainant in the allegations that caused the arrest of Albert Ojwang, should be suspended pending investigations on what role he may have played in the extrajudicial execution,” Karua stated.
Kanja on Ojwang’s arrest
Karua’s remarks come hours after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja shed light on the controversial arrest of Ojwang, who died while in custody at Central Police Station in Nairobi.
Kanja, in a press conference on Monday, June 9, 2025, revealed that Ojwang’s arrest, along with others, was triggered by a formal complaint from Lagat, who claimed his reputation was being tarnished by Ojwang’s social media posts.
“The reasons why the late Ojwang was arrested together with others are because there was a complaint that had been lodged by the DIG KPS about his name being tarnished,” Kanja stated on Monday, June 9, 2025.
“It is on that basis investigations were being carried out because he has got a right.”
“I will be giving updates,” Kanja, addressing concern, promised to provide regular updates on the case.
Ojwang’s subsequent transfer from Homa Bay to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he died under disputed circumstances, has fuelled allegations of police misconduct and intensified calls for accountability within the National Police Service.
IPOA probe
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), under Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, is actively investigating Ojwang’s death. Hassan has issued a stern warning to officers appointed to act in place of those implicated, urging full cooperation with the probe.
“We also want to warn those who will be appointed to act in their places to cooperate with the investigators and not to interfere with the investigation,” he declared.
