DIG Lagat's role in Ojwang's death must be probed – Oburu

Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga speaking at the Senate on June 11, 2025 / Screengrab

Siaya Senator Odinga has said that Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat’s role in Albert Ojwang’s death while in police custody.

Lagat—a top cop and an influential figure in President William Ruto’s administration—was the complainant in the case, where Ojwang was accused of false publication.

Weighing in on the matter, Senator Oburu said politicians are defamed every day, and it is not a crime but makes them more famous.

He questioned Lagat’s presence at the police press briefing, saying he as a complainant, he ought to be investigated.

“His role must be investigated in this matter; Ojwang was a very small person at Central Police Station,” Oburu said.

DIG Lagat is under siege as the public is baying for his blood while the political elite are united in calling for his sacking.

Leaders are now calling on Lagat to resign.

“Eliud Lagat, the DIG and complainant in the allegations that caused the arrest of Albert Ojwang', should be suspended pending investigations,” PLP leader Martha Karua said.

Former Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi also placed the blame on the doorstep of the DIG, demanding he take responsibility for the death of the blogger.

Four activists have taken legal action to compel the court to order the prosecution of Lagat.

In the petition filed on Wednesday, the activists argued 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.