NAIROBI, Kenya — In a significant development, Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja has revealed that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, was the complainant whose defamation claim led to the arrest of the now-deceased Albert Ojwang’.
Addressing the press on Monday, IG Kanja confirmed that DIG Lagat initiated a defamation complaint against Ojwang’, prompting the swift investigation that resulted in Ojwang’s apprehension.
“There was a complaint that had been launched by the DIG KPS about his name being tarnished. It is on that basis that investigations were actually being carried out because he also has a right to be protected by the same law,” IG Kanja stated.
According to Kanja, Ojwang was booked at the Central Police Station under the Occurrence Book number 136/7/6/2025 at 21:35 pm.
Albert Ojwang’ was reportedly found unconscious inside his cell at Central Police Station on Sunday, June 8, 2025 during a routine cell inspection, and was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, as documented in the Occurrence Book numbered 9/08/06/2025 at 1.39 am, where he was tragically pronounced dead upon arrival.
A police report claimed that he was discovered with head injuries, attributing them to him “hitting his head severally against the wall inside the cell.” Ojwang’ had been arrested at his home in Homa Bay County on Saturday afternoon and subsequently transferred to Nairobi, where he met his untimely end.
IG Kanja assured the public that a thorough probe is currently underway, and a detailed report on the mysterious death is being compiled. Echoing this commitment, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Isaac Hassan confirmed their own investigation is in progress, with investigative teams having already visited the crime scene.
Hassan expressed profound distress over the emotional narration of Meshack Opiyo, Ojwang’s father, and vowed to ensure justice for the bereaved family.
“I watched mzee Ojwang’ on TV crying. Any parent would feel the same pain when you have lost your son. I want to assure him and the public that IPOA will do everything possible to ensure that justice is served for the family,” Hassan pledged.
In a related development, all officers who were on duty during Ojwang’s booking have been interdicted and will undergo interrogation to shed light on the incident.
The officers include the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Central Police Station, the Duty Officer on duty during the night in question, the Cell Sentry on duty at the time; all officers who were on duty at the Report Office that night and any other officer found to have been on duty or otherwise involved during the incident.
Meanwhile, the revelation comes amidst strong condemnation from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has publicly called for the immediate suspension of DIG Eliud Lagat over the unexplained death.
Gachagua insists that the police boss must take full responsibility for Ojwang’s arrest stemming from his social media comment.
He has controversially claimed that DIG Lagat operates Kamukunji Police Station and Central Police Station without IG Kanja’s knowledge, alleging that these two police stations have become “the new torture chambers,” which he cited as justification for Ojwang’s transfer from Homa Bay to Central Police Station.
