Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has demanded the suspension of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, over the tragic death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody at the Central Police Station in Nairobi on Sunday, June 8.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, June 9, Gachagua claimed that Lagat was the one who personally gave the orders for Ojwang’s arrest on Saturday, June 7.
He further alleged that Lagat directly runs the operations at Kamukunji and Central Police Stations in Nairobi, bypassing the authority of Inspector General Douglas Kanja. Gachagua believes that this is the main reason Ojwang, who was initially arrested in Homa Bay, was transferred to the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
According to Gachagua, suspending Deputy IG Lagat is a critical step to ensure that credible and transparent investigations can take place to uncover the truth behind Ojwang’s death. The police initially reported that Ojwang died after hitting his head against a wall while in custody.
However, Gachagua has dismissed that explanation, arguing that both Kamukunji and Central Police stations are increasingly being referred to by the public as “new torture chambers.”
He insisted that Ojwang was targeted simply for expressing his views online. “The Deputy IG, Eliud Lagat, was the complainant in this case. The alleged crime that led to Ojwang’s arrest was a fair and reasonable comment he made on social media about Lagat.
Lagat is the one who ordered the arrest, and he must be held fully accountable for this incident,” Gachagua said.
The former DP accused the government of trying to silence young Kenyans—particularly Generation Z—by using fear and intimidation to suppress freedom of expression on social media.
“To Albert’s family, his friends, the people of Homa Bay, and all Kenyans—especially Gen Z—I stand with you in demanding justice for Albert. His death is a painful reminder of how this regime continues to bully and silence our youth,” Gachagua added.
Albert Ojwang, a well-known digital content creator, died under suspicious circumstances while being held at the Central Police Station, triggering widespread outrage on social media. Many Kenyans, especially on X, have continued to demand answers and justice for the young influencer.
In response to the public outcry, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, in a statement released on Monday, June 9, announced that the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of the Central Police Station, along with all officers who were on duty the night Ojwang died, have been interdicted.
The National Police Service (NPS) said the move is meant to allow for thorough and impartial investigations to take place. The NPS also confirmed that it would fully cooperate with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which has launched a separate investigation into the incident.
“To ensure a complete, fair, and speedy investigation by IPOA, the Inspector General has ordered the immediate suspension of all officers who were on duty at the Central Police Station during the incident,” the NPS statement read.
The NPS emphasized that once the investigations are concluded, appropriate disciplinary and legal action will be taken based on the findings. They assured the public of their commitment to transparency and justice, and pledged full support for IPOA’s ongoing efforts to establish the facts.
As pressure mounts from both the public and political leaders, the country waits to see whether the government will take more decisive action to address the concerns raised over police conduct, especially in cases involving youth activism and freedom of speech.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
