IPOA summons Lagat over Albert Ojwang’s death

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The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has officially summoned Deputy Inspector General Eliud Kipkoech Lagat to record a statement in connection with the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody earlier this month.

IPOA Chairperson Isaack Hassan confirmed on Wednesday that investigators had found sufficient grounds to summon Mr Lagat, saying his input is vital to establish the full chain of events that led to Ojwang’s death.

“No one is above the law. This investigation will reach everyone involved, regardless of rank or title,” Mr. Hassan said.

Mr Lagat, who had earlier filed a defamation complaint against Ojwang, is said to have voluntarily stepped aside from active duty to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.

Read: IG Kanja apologises over misleading account of Albert Ojwang’s death

The summoning of such a senior police officer marks a major turning point in the case. Civil rights groups had raised concerns that the investigation was only targeting junior officers. Now, IPOA’s move sends a strong signal that accountability must apply across the ranks.

So far, IPOA has made notable strides in the inquiry. The cell sentry at Nairobi Central Police Station, Constable James Mukhwana, has already been arrested and is being held in remand pending further investigation.

Five(5) other officers, including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), duty officers, and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), have been suspended or interdicted over their suspected roles in the matter.

IPOA investigators have also collected witness statements, blood samples, and medical records from Mbagathi Hospital, where Ojwang was briefly treated before his death.

A post-mortem confirmed that Ojwang died from blunt force trauma, neck compression, and bruising—completely contradicting the police’s initial claim that he had committed suicide in his cell.

Additionally, IPOA has retrieved CCTV footage and equipment from Central Police Station, although preliminary reports suggest that parts of the footage were either deleted or tampered with. The equipment is undergoing forensic examination.

The Authority has indicated that several other officers have been or will be summoned as part of the widening probe.

IPOA’s final report is expected to be handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later this week, paving the way for possible prosecutions.

Ojwang’s death has sparked national outrage, with protests led largely by Kenyan youth demanding justice and broader police reforms. 

IPOA’s actions this week are seen as a significant step toward addressing those calls.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to appear before the House next Wednesday, June 25, to answer questions over the mysterious death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody.

Speaker Wetang’ula acted amid mounting pressure from MPs--particularly Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul), Manyatta’s Gitonga Mukunji, and Rarieda’s Otiende Amollo--who criticized the slow pace of investigations and demanded higher-level accountability.

“No one is above the law, and this matter must be addressed transparently,” declared Speaker Wetang’ula.

“The Interior CS must appear before this House so we can get answers on police conduct that we condemn.”  

The move follows the tabling of a preliminary report by the National Security and Administration Committee, which outlined IPOA’s findings and highlighted gaps in the investigation so far.

AVDelta News will continue monitoring developments as the case moves toward prosecution and potential court proceedings.