Former Chief Justice David Maraga has publicly called for the immediate arrest of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, his deputy Eliud Lagat, and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohammed Amin.
This demand is in connection with the tragic death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who was reportedly tortured and killed after being abducted.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, June 16, Maraga said the three top police officials must be arrested by June 25. He warned that if this is not done, he will join other concerned Kenyans in taking legal steps through private prosecution against them.
The former CJ believes that the officials played a role in covering up the incident and possibly even enabling it.
Maraga accused them of giving false sworn statements under oath regarding the abduction and brutal killing of Ojwang.
He pointed out that their statements did not align with earlier communications issued by the police, raising serious concerns about truthfulness and accountability in the highest offices of the National Police Service.
He further revealed that there is already enough preliminary evidence linking Deputy IG Lagat to the illegal arrest, torture, and murder of the young blogger.
Despite this, Lagat has not been suspended or investigated, and he continues to serve in his official capacity. Maraga said this inaction raises even more suspicion and shows how broken the justice system currently is.
According to Maraga, trust in institutions like the National Police Service (NPS), the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been completely eroded.
To restore justice and rebuild confidence, he demanded that the three top officials—IG Kanja, DCI Amin, and Deputy IG Lagat—be arrested and charged along with anyone else involved in Ojwang’s death.
“To start the process of resetting and rebuilding our justice system, we are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the DCI, the IG, and Mr. Lagat.
They all lied while under oath and must be held responsible, together with those who participated in the murder of Ojwang,” Maraga firmly stated.
He expressed his full support for Kenyans who have already filed petitions calling for the prosecution of the three senior officials.
He emphasized that if there is no progress by June 25, he and his team will take to the streets and join nationwide protests demanding justice.
“If this matter is not addressed by June 25, we will officially join Kenyans in their efforts and demand private prosecution,” he warned.
Maraga also said that even if the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) fails to take legal action against the accused, the people of Kenya have the right under the Constitution to push for justice through other legal means.
He cited Articles 1 and 3 of the Constitution of Kenya, which empower citizens to exercise their sovereignty either directly or through institutions.
“My team and I fully support all lawful actions taken by Kenyans, including peaceful assembly and public demonstrations, to demand accountability and justice,” he said.
This powerful statement from the former Chief Justice comes at a time when there is growing public anger over Ojwang’s death, which reportedly occurred while he was in police custody.
Many believe his death was politically motivated due to his outspoken activism on social media.
Activists and opposition leaders have already been organizing for a major protest on June 25 to mark one year since the deadly 2024 Gen-Z demonstrations.
That protest was triggered by the controversial Finance Bill of 2024, during which dozens of young people were killed by police and many others were abducted.
Ojwang’s death has only intensified calls for accountability, and now with Maraga joining in, the pressure on the government and the police force has escalated to a new level.
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