Police IG Confirms Blogger Albert Ojwang Was Arrested Over Alleged Defamation of Deputy IG Eliud Lagat

Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrest of blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang, whose death remains under investigation. 

Speaking outside Central Police Station on Monday, June 9, IG Kanja revealed that Ojwang was detained following a complaint by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.  

The complaint alleged that Ojwang, along with others, had defamed Lagat online. Kanja emphasized that the police were acting on this formal complaint, stating that everyone, including senior officers, has a legal right to protection. 

Contrary to rumors, Kanja confirmed that Ojwang was indeed processed through official channels. He was arrested in Homa Bay by DCI officers on charges related to false publication and brought to Nairobi for questioning. He was officially booked at Central Police Station under the OB number 136/7/6 of 2025 at 9:35 p.m. 

Isaac Hassan, Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), announced that a formal inquiry into Ojwang’s death is underway. Hassan expressed sympathy for Ojwang’s grieving family and promised that IPOA would pursue justice to its conclusion. 

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the immediate suspension of Eliud Lagat. He blames the Deputy IG for Ojwang’s mysterious death in custody, arguing that Lagat, being the complainant in the defamation case, should be held responsible.  

Gachagua also accused Lagat of operating so-called “torture chambers” at Central and Kamukunji Police Stations and criticized the suspension of lower-ranking officers as a mere public relations stunt.