The noose appears to be tightening around senior police officials as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) takes bold steps in the investigation of blogger Albert Ojwang’s shocking death in police custody.
In a dramatic twist, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat has now been summoned by IPOA to answer key questions regarding the incident.
The decision to summon Lagat comes just days after explosive allegations linked him directly to the chain of events leading to Ojwang’s arrest, detention, and death.
As public anger grows, IPOA’s move marks a turning point in the high-stakes investigation.
IPOA Summons DIG Lagat Amid Explosive Testimony and Mounting Evidence
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 18, IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan confirmed that the authority had found sufficient grounds to summon DIG Lagat. The summons compels Lagat to appear before IPOA investigators to record a formal statement in relation to the controversial case.
“Having found a basis, IPOA has issued a summons to the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat to appear before the authority’s investigations team to record a statement,” Hassan announced.
The summons follows damning testimony from Police Constable James Mukhwana, who directly implicated Lagat in a statement made earlier this week. Mukhwana alleged that both Lagat and OCS Chief Inspector Samson Talaam gave orders to “discipline” Ojwang, leading to a fatal outcome.
Lagat had earlier admitted to filing the original complaint against Ojwang on June 6—an action that triggered the blogger’s arrest. However, he has strongly denied any involvement in what transpired afterward.
IPOA’s action also follows public pressure and rising calls for accountability at the highest levels of the police service. For weeks, Lagat’s name has trended online, with human rights groups, political leaders, and citizens demanding he step aside pending investigations.
Multiple Arrests and Forensic Investigations Underway
The IPOA chair revealed that 20 police officers have already recorded statements in connection with Ojwang’s death. This includes the Deputy OCS at Central Police Station, where Ojwang was detained and later found dead.
OCS Chief Inspector Talaam and Constable Mukhwana have both been arraigned in court. The Deputy OCS, arrested on June 17, is currently held at Muthaiga Police Station.
But the probe extends beyond law enforcement. Four civilians have also been arraigned, including a suspect accused of tampering with CCTV footage—an act many believe was meant to obstruct justice. The other three civilians are inmates who were in custody at the Central Police Station on the night Ojwang died.
IPOA has also applied to detain several suspects for a longer period to allow for thorough investigations. According to Hassan, applications have been filed with mobile service providers to retrieve phone data from persons of interest, potentially linking communications and orders to the events of June 6.
Additionally, DVR footage from Central Police Station and biological samples have been submitted to the government chemist for forensic analysis. These results are expected to play a crucial role in either confirming or discrediting the testimonies gathered so far.
Charges Loom as IPOA, ODPP Wrap Up Investigations
IPOA expects to conclude investigations in collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) within the coming week. Once complete, recommendations to charge various individuals—including potentially senior police figures—will be presented to the ODPP.
The spotlight now remains firmly on DIG Lagat, whose appearance before IPOA could make or break the case. Any inconsistency in his statement may open the door to criminal charges or administrative action.
Meanwhile, tension continues to rise across the country as civil rights groups prepare to hold mass protests demanding justice for Ojwang and accountability from the National Police Service. Demonstrators are expected to pressure Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to suspend Lagat until investigations are fully concluded.
Despite mounting calls for his resignation, Lagat has insisted on his innocence, saying he is ready to cooperate with IPOA and defend his actions.
Still, the damage to public confidence in the police force is growing. The coming days will be crucial, as IPOA and ODPP move toward holding the powerful accountable and restoring faith in Kenya’s criminal justice system.
