NAIROBI, Kenya – Embattled Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Eliud Lagat has gotten relief after former police spokesperson Charles Owino came to his defence amid calls for him to step down.
A section of Kenyans has been mounting pressure on Lagat to step down from office after being linked to the death of online influencer Albert Omondi Ojwang, who died in police custody.
In efforts to quell public speculation, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that Lagat, who heads the Kenya Police Service (NPS), was behind the complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest in Homa Bay over the weekend before his mysterious death hours later.
However, according to Owino, Lagat has the right to complain, just like any other Kenyan, when he feels aggrieved.
“I am not DIG Eliud Lagat’s advocate. DIG Lagat has faced numerous attacks over the last two months. He has been attacked. We have heard politicians saying their person was removed to be replaced by another person, and it is even in the public domain,” said Owino.
Appearing on Citizen TV on the morning of Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Owino claimed that Lagat has been under attack from unnamed individuals in government.
“All these attempts to have Lagat out of office are coordinated. All I can say is that Lagat has a right as an individual to complain when he feels he is getting maligned, and whatever it is,” added Owino.
Which law did Albert Otieno Ojwang’ violate in this matter
According to Owino, who was appointed by President William Ruto in September 2023 to chair the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) Council, Ojwang’ violated the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Act of 2018.
“We also don’t want the DPP to act politically because if he is disapproving of this particular case and he has been approving others, then it is a challenge. So many people have been charged for false publication, and I don’t think this is the first incident,” Owino added.
According to Owino, the calls for Lagat to step down at this stage are too early.
“The actual responsibility of custody is the OCS and its officers. If the ongoing investigations find that it was Lagat who was responsible, because Lagat complained to the DCI. The DCI has a responsibility because he is not junior to take up the matter if he feels there is an offence or not. It is not for Lagat to decide whether the person is to be arrested,” explained Owino.
Owino further regretted that the incident ought not to have even happened.
“If an offence is not recognisable, then you may not arrest the suspect without a warrant. But this is a discussion; is this offence recognisable or not? “Let us agree that if people are not going to be arrested for Computer Misuse and cybercrime, or people can be bullied on social media, and it is acceptable, then let us agree as a country it cannot be selective,” Owino added.
Who are the people that Charles Owino want to take the blame
Owino observed that the matter escalated because Ojwang’ died in police custody.
“It is wrong because it is giving the police a wrong image. We need to inculcate trust in our police force. I am not saying that it is right. But again, it seems that everyone seems to be targeting Lagat. The moment Lagat steps down, the issue dies because the interest here seems to be him, yet he was the complainant in this matter,” explained Owino.
He maintained that there is a need for the suspended OCS at Nairobi’s Central Police Station and his officers on duty to explain to Kenyans what happened in custody on the material day.
“If we get evidence today that DIG Lagat was involved, then leave the interdiction; he goes to court straight away. However, many Kenyans might be shocked to learn that there is a possibility that an external force is behind this matter. Even in bribing a police officer and doing this for another purpose,” Owino claimed.
Owino also insisted that ongoing investigations into the matter ought to be open.
“So that we get the actual culprits. Sometimes, we can divert attention, and we move away from the real cause of the problem. This thing is open, and so let us not turn the tide against an individual who complained,” stated Owino.
