Standard Group Reveals A Silent Raid By GSU Officers Over Fake Headline On Eliud Lagat Before Turning To Ojwang

NAIROBI, Kenya – In a new turn of events that preceded the controversial death of Albert Ojwang in police custody, the Standard Group has revealed details of a covert raid by General Service Unit (GSU) officers at their headquarters over fabricated news content featuring Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

CCTV footage released by the media house shows a white Probox vehicle with registration number KDD 055Z arriving at the Standard Group premises on Mombasa Road on April 22, 2025.

The vehicle proceeded directly into the compound’s parking area before three individuals emerged and identified themselves as GSU officers.

The Fake Headlines That Sparked Investigation

The officers had come to investigate a fabricated front-page headline titled “The Richest Cop,” which featured an image of DIG Lagat and had reportedly caused significant unrest within the police service.

After conducting brief interrogations with newsroom staff, the officers departed the premises.

However, the story took a more sinister turn when verification checks revealed troubling details about the visitors.

A spot check through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) system showed that the Probox’s number plate was fake – the registration was actually assigned to a black Subaru Forester.

Days after the initial raid, another false publication surfaced, this time titled “The Mafia Cop,” also bearing the Standard Group’s branding.

This second fabricated story made serious allegations against DIG Lagat, claiming he had strategically positioned loyal officers in key positions to control revenue streams and intelligence networks.

The fake article also alleged that Lagat was under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for allegedly acquiring property worth Ksh 335.9 million in Dubai.

The Fatal Turn

Following the circulation of the second fake headline, DIG Lagat filed a formal complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) against Albert Ojwang, whom he accused of being behind the fabricated publications.

The complaint set in motion events that would prove fatal for Ojwang. On June 7, 2025, DCI officers arrested the 32-year-old at his family home in Kakot, Homa Bay County, at approximately 3:30 p.m.

He was initially detained at Mawego Police Station before being transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he died while in custody.

Political Pressure Mounts

Ojwang’s death has triggered widespread condemnation and growing calls for DIG Lagat’s resignation.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has demanded Lagat’s immediate suspension, alleging that the DIG personally ordered Ojwang’s arrest and supervised his transfer to Nairobi.

“Suspending junior officers at Central Police Station is merely hoodwinking Kenyans. For any meaningful investigation to be conducted, Mr. Eliud Lagat must be suspended immediately,” Gachagua stated.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has gone further, calling not just for Lagat’s resignation but his arrest. “Resignation is not enough. We want him arrested so he can record a statement from a police cell,” Khalwale declared.

Even allies of the DIG have begun distancing themselves. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who described Lagat as a friend, urged him to step aside during investigations.

Speaking in the Senate on June 11, Cheruiyot said: “I advise the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Lagat, that nobody has said you’re guilty. But for the country to appreciate what really happened, he should step aside until investigations are concluded.”