Kenya’s Police Under Fire: The Albert Ojwang controversial Death and the Eliud Lagat Dilemma

Calls for justice are growing louder in Kenya following the controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang, with Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat finding himself at the center of a heated national debate.  

Accused by some of ordering Ojwang’s arrest over alleged publication of false information, Lagat now faces mounting pressure to resign, or be dismissed. 

Prominent Members of Parliament, human rights activists, and members of the public have demanded swift action from President William Ruto, urging him to relieve Lagat of his duties. Critics claim that keeping Lagat in office erodes trust in the police force and undermines the credibility of Kenya’s efforts to combat impunity and restore public confidence in state institutions. 

Their argument is simple: no one should be above the law, especially when the accusation involves abuse of power and a citizen’s death. 

Yet not everyone agrees that Lagat is to blame. Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has stepped forward, calling for calm and urging the nation to wait for a thorough and impartial investigation.  

According to Passaris, she was with Lagat at a Kenya Alliance of Residents Association meeting when the news broke. She claims his reaction showed genuine surprise, not the demeanor of someone with prior knowledge, or guilt. 

“His composure reflected genuine surprise, not that of someone aware of, let alone involved in, the death of Albert Ojwang,” Passaris said. 

Her comments have added a layer of complexity to the case, especially among those who fear that the rush to blame Lagat might be politically or emotionally driven. 

Political analyst and presidential advisor Mutahi Ngunyi echoed similar concerns, delivering a sharp warning about misplaced outrage. In a veiled but provocative message, Ngunyi suggested that if the real perpetrators were hiding behind the public’s anger at Lagat, they could escape justice entirely. 

“If I killed Ojwang using police networks, then blamed it on DIG Lagat, who would defend Eliud Lagat? He has no rights. Why? We have made up our minds. Do not confuse us with the facts,” he wrote. 

His message underscored the danger of allowing public sentiment to override due process, raising fears that the real masterminds could walk free if investigations are derailed by political scapegoating. 

As Kenya reels from yet another case of alleged police misconduct, the nation finds itself caught between the demands for swift justice and the need for a credible, evidence-based investigation. The death of Albert Ojwang is not just a personal tragedy, it has become a symbol of a broader crisis: the urgent need to address accountability, transparency, and abuse of power within Kenya’s security apparatus. 

The path forward must strike a delicate balance: acting quickly but fairly, demanding accountability without sacrificing truth.