The controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang continues to raise more questions after it was revealed that Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat never officially stepped aside as earlier claimed. Instead, newly filed court documents show that Lagat went on an 18-day annual leave starting June 17.
The leave was approved by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, yet the public was led to believe Lagat had stepped aside to allow investigations.
Ojwang, aged 31, was arrested on June 7, 2025, reportedly after a defamation complaint connected to Lagat’s office. He was taken to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, but just a day later, on June 8, he was found unconscious in his cell.
He was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police initially claimed that Ojwang had harmed himself, but this explanation quickly fell apart when a post-mortem report revealed that he had suffered serious head injuries and neck compression, pointing to assault and not suicide.
His sudden and suspicious death sparked outrage across the country. He was buried on June 15 at his family home in Siaya County.
The funeral turned into a moment of protest, with local leaders, fellow bloggers, and grieving family members demanding justice. Many who knew Ojwang described him as a brave young man who used his platform to speak truth to power, and they vowed not to stay silent until those responsible were held to account.
The public reaction was swift. Protests broke out in different parts of the country under the slogan “Stop killing us.” These protests forced top police officials to respond, and eventually, President William Ruto addressed the matter directly.
He described Ojwang’s death as heartbreaking and said it was completely unacceptable, especially since it happened in the hands of the police.
At least six officers have since been arrested and charged in relation to the case.However, the biggest concern now is the misleading statement about Lagat stepping aside.
Many are questioning why his leave was framed in a way that suggested accountability when in reality, he was just taking annual leave.
This has led to suspicions that police leadership may have tried to cover up or downplay his involvement.
For the family and supporters of Albert Ojwang, the fight for truth and justice is far from over.
