Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has called on President William Ruto to sack Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat following the suspicious death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Ojwang’s death has sparked outrage across the country, with many Kenyans questioning the use of state power to silence individuals who express dissenting views online.
According to reports, Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay on Friday for allegedly posting negative comments about Lagat on social media. Instead of being handled locally, he was transported all the way to Nairobi and locked up at the Central Police Station, where he later died in unclear circumstances.
During a tense session in the Senate on Tuesday, Senator Nyutu strongly criticized the police and accused them of abusing their power to settle what he termed as a personal score. He questioned why Ojwang was dragged from Homa Bay to Nairobi over a matter that should have been dealt with as a civil issue.
According to him, if Lagat felt insulted or defamed, he should have followed the law and filed a civil suit instead of misusing his authority. Nyutu insisted that this case reflects a growing pattern by the government to target young people who speak their minds online or question those in power.
Nyutu went on to question what exactly the government fears from the youth, saying the intolerance shown towards them is worrying and dangerous for democracy.
He expressed concern that those in leadership were no longer willing to accept criticism, even when it was lawful and peaceful. The Senator added that such actions paint the government as repressive and out of touch with the reality that Kenyans are frustrated and are simply looking for ways to express themselves.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that Ojwang was arrested after Deputy Inspector General Lagat filed a complaint that his name had been damaged by the social media posts.
Kanja also stated that some senior officers at Central Police Station had been arrested and were being investigated in connection with Ojwang’s death. While this has provided a glimmer of hope that justice may be served, many Kenyans remain skeptical.
Former police spokesperson Charles Owino has urged the public not to rush to conclusions.
He described the situation as unfortunate but said that proper procedures must be followed, including a full investigation before any action is taken against Lagat. However, those pushing for Lagat’s removal argue that the weight of the office he holds requires higher accountability, especially when the outcome involves a life lost under questionable circumstances.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has already started investigations into the case, promising a full and independent inquiry to uncover the truth behind what really happened to Ojwang.
