NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the immediate suspension of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat following the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a young man who died in police custody at Central Police Station in Nairobi.
Ojwang, believed to be in his twenties and a vocal social media user, was reportedly arrested after allegedly making a critical comment about DIG Lagat online.
He died days later while held at the station under circumstances that have sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of police conduct, especially towards the youth.
In a statement, Gachagua accused Lagat of bearing direct responsibility for Ojwang’s death, alleging the arrest was politically motivated and carried out under Lagat’s personal instructions.
“Albert Ojwang’s brutal murder in the hands of police officers has revived the painful wounds of the tens of Gen Zs who continue to be killed by security agencies under the Ruto administration,” said Gachagua. “Mr. Eliud Lagat must take full responsibility for this murder.”
Albert Ojwang’s brutal murder in the hands of the police officers has revived the painful wounds of the tens of GenZs who continue to be killed by security agencies by the Ruto Administration.In the strongest terms possible, I condemn this cowardly act by the killers and call
The former Deputy President claimed Lagat was not only the complainant in Ojwang’s arrest but also the key figure controlling operations at Central and Kamukunji police stations, which he described as “torture chambers.”
He further linked the DIG to an alleged withdrawal of police from a church service he attended in Mwiki earlier this year, leaving congregants vulnerable to an attack.
Gachagua dismissed the recent suspension of junior officers as a public relations move, insisting that any credible investigation must begin with Lagat’s immediate removal from office.
The National Police Service, in a statement, confirmed that several officers stationed at Central Police Station on the night of Ojwang’s death had been interdicted.
These include the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), the duty officer, the cell sentry, and others present at the report office during the incident.
“To ensure a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Inspector General has ordered the interdiction of the officers,” said police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.
The police service assured the public of its commitment to accountability, rule of law, and human rights. IPOA is yet to release preliminary findings on the case.
Meanwhile, Ojwang’s death has drawn sharp reactions across social media platforms, with Gen Z users amplifying calls for justice and an end to extrajudicial killings.
Addressing President William Ruto directly, Gachagua accused the administration of presiding over what he termed a “blood-based government,” sustained by violence against young people.
“What have the young people, small children done to deserve these macabre killings?” he asked.
“Mr. President, leave our children alone.”
Ojwang was reportedly transferred from Homa Bay to Nairobi, raising questions about the jurisdiction of his arrest and detention.
The circumstances of his death remain unclear, with postmortem results pending.
This is the latest in a series of police-related deaths that have put the government under pressure to rein in rogue officers and uphold constitutional rights — especially for Kenya’s digitally savvy youth, who have increasingly used social media to hold power to account.
