Four activists have taken legal action to compel the court to order the prosecution of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, following the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
In the petition filed on Wednesday, the activists argue that while some officers from Central Police Station have been interdicted by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, the senior commanders who allegedly gave the orders remain in office and are still overseeing the investigation.
They described as “baffling” the stark contradictions between the police’s version of events—which claimed Ojwang sustained head injuries in custody—and the autopsy report, which points to other serious injuries.
“This matter is so grave that it does not just call for internal disciplinary action but also demands criminal prosecution,” the petition reads.
The activists also voiced alarm over the growing number of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Kenya, as highlighted by human rights group Missing Voices.
“If this worrying trend continues, and the senior officials remain untouched, these cases will only keep rising, fueling public anger and protests,” the petition warned.
They criticised investigative and prosecutorial agencies, saying their failure to pursue those responsible is “unreasonable and without legal justification.”
Ojwang’s death has ignited national outrage, with Kenyans demanding answers and accountability.
Civil society groups and members of the public have condemned the incident as yet another example of impunity within the police service.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since named the five Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers who arrested Ojwang on June 7, 2025.
IPOA Deputy Chairperson Ann Wanjiku shared the names with the Senate on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and justice.
