Activists move to court to push for DIG Lagat’s prosecution
In a petition filed on Wednesday, they argue that while some officers from Central Police Station have been interdicted, senior commanders who allegedly gave the orders remain in office and are still overseeing the investigation.
Four activists have moved to court seeking the prosecution of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
In a petition filed on Wednesday, they argue that while some officers from Central Police Station have been interdicted, senior commanders who allegedly gave the orders remain in office and are still overseeing the investigation.
They questioned the police’s account of Ojwang’s death, which claimed he suffered head injuries in custody, saying it contradicts the autopsy report that shows other serious injuries.
"This matter is so grave that it does not just call for internal disciplinary action but also demands criminal prosecution," reads the petition.
The activists warned that unless senior officials are held accountable, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances will continue unchecked.
"If this worrying trend continues, and the senior officials remain untouched, these cases will only keep rising, fueling public anger and protests," the petition added.
They also criticised investigative and prosecutorial bodies for failing to act, saying this inaction is “unreasonable and without legal justification.”
Ojwang’s death has drawn national attention and sparked public outrage, with civil society groups and Kenyans calling for justice and condemning the police for what they describe as impunity.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has since named five Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers involved in Ojwang’s arrest on June 7, 2025.
IPOA Deputy Chairperson Ann Wanjiku shared the names with the Senate during a briefing on Wednesday, as part of efforts to ensure accountability.
