Oburu Wants DIG Eliud Lagat Arrested in the Controversial Death of Albert Ojwang

Siaya Senator demands accountability as post-mortem reveals teacher died from assault, not self-inflicted injuries

Siaya County Senator Oburu Odinga has intensified calls for the arrest and interrogation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat following the controversial death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and social media influencer who died in police custody.

Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, Oburu questioned why senior police officials implicated in Ojwang’s death remain free while the case continues to spark nationwide outrage.

“Why can’t he be arrested and interrogated? If we don’t tackle this case to the end, Kenyans won’t believe us,” Oburu stated, referring to DIG Lagat who had filed the defamation complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest.

The Senator’s demands come as a post-mortem examination revealed that Ojwang’s death was likely caused by assault rather than self-inflicted injuries, contradicting initial police statements that claimed he “hit his head against a cell wall.”

Lead pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia reported finding soft tissue injuries and signs of neck compression on Ojwang’s body, stating: “These injuries are consistent with external assault. There were also signs of a struggle.”

The pathologist noted frontal bleeding in the brain that was “unlikely to be self-inflicted,” directly challenging the police narrative of the teacher’s death at Nairobi’s Central Police Station on June 8.

“Big Boys” Behind the Death

DIG Eliud Lagat.

Oburu dismissed suggestions that junior officers were responsible for Ojwang’s death, insisting it “was executed by the big boys” – referring to senior police officials.

He questioned the legitimacy of the original arrest, arguing that the false publication charge did not warrant detention.

“How could a senior police officer arrest someone just because he was making him infamous?” Oburu asked, adding, “What did the police officer want to do with fame?”

The Senator drew parallels to other cases involving criticism of public figures, noting: “I have seen incidents where people are putting the president in a cell, and they are never arrested. Is this police officer bigger than the president?”

Timeline of Events

Ojwang was arrested on June 6 by DCI officers in Homa Bay following Lagat’s defamation complaint over social media posts. After being transferred to Nairobi, he was interrogated and booked on June 7 before being found unconscious during what police termed a “routine cell check” the following day.

The family’s lawyer reported injuries consistent with torture, including head wounds and nasal bleeding, contradicting police claims about the circumstances of his death.

Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo described the injuries as consistent with torture, calling it “extra-judicial execution” and demanding accountability from all involved officers.

“Someone gave the order to pick him up from Homa Bay. Someone must be held accountable,” Odhiambo stated, promising continued pressure until every implicated officer faces consequences.

In an emotional plea, Ojwang’s father directly addressed DIG Lagat: “Eliud Lagat, were you the one who sent your people? What did he do to deserve this? Why was my child crucified?”

Inspector General Douglas Kanja has interdicted officers who were on duty during Ojwang’s detention, including the Officer Commanding Station.

However, the Law Society of Kenya has criticized the lack of transparency, particularly the failure to publicly name the implicated officers.

The incident triggered a series of protests in Nairobi, with demonstrators demanding justice for Ojwang and Lagat’s resignation.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga and other legal experts have condemned the death as part of a growing pattern of state repression.