Courtesy The Star
Albert Ojwang’, a young father, teacher, and bold online activist, is dead. And the circumstances surrounding his gruesome murder now point directly to a dark and calculated plot tied to powerful forces within Kenya’s security system — with one name surfacing repeatedly: Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.
Ojwang’ was not just another victim. He was a man who dared to speak out. A man who, through his social media platforms, openly challenged corruption and impunity. And for that, he paid the ultimate price — not by accident, but through what now appears to be a state-sanctioned execution.
A Pre-Meditated Operation Disguised as an Arrest
On June 7, 2025, Ojwang’ was arrested in Homa Bay by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). His crime? Publishing controversial posts that allegedly linked Deputy IG Eliud Lagat to corruption.
At 2:30 PM, he was picked up by five officers: Sergeant Sigei, Sergeant Wesley Kipkorir Kirui, Constables Dennis Kinyoni, Milton Mwanze, and Boniface Rapudo. He was first taken to Mawego police station before being transported to Nairobi in a DCI vehicle. According to records, he was booked at Central Police Station in good condition at 9:35 PM under OB number 136/7/6/2025.
He even made two calls—one to his wife and another to a friend—assuring them he had arrived safely.
That was the last time anyone outside the force heard from him.
Tortured in Karura, Dumped at Central
Credible sources now reveal that Ojwang’s murder wasn’t a case of police negligence — it was a mission. Between 9:35 PM and 1:39 AM, he was secretly removed from his cell, ferried in a private vehicle to Karura Forest, and subjected to brutal torture.
He was handcuffed, kicked, punched, and beaten unconscious by officers — one of them reportedly a senior police official closely linked to Deputy IG Eliud Lagat.
When Ojwang’ slipped into a coma, his attackers panicked. They bundled his bloodied, limp body into the same vehicle and rushed back to Central Police Station.
What followed was a blatant cover-up.
Some officers at the station allegedly objected to taking back a lifeless man. But an order “from above” forced them to book him again — this time, into a solitary cell. Other minor suspects were reportedly released to make room.
By 1:39 AM, his death was officially recorded under OB number 9/08/06/2025.
CCTV Tampering, Lies, and Silence
Inspector of Police Douglas Kanja has tried to downplay the incident, but the facts are undeniable.
The CCTV cameras near Ojwang’s cell at Central were tampered with. Ipoa Deputy Chair Ann Wanjiku confirmed before the Senate that the surveillance system — particularly in the OCS’s office — had been “interfered with.”
This wasn’t just negligence. This was obstruction of justice. A deliberate erasure of evidence.
Worse, police tried to lie about the cause of death, initially claiming that Ojwang’ “hit his head against a cell wall.”
But the post-mortem report, conducted on Tuesday, was clear: Ojwang’ died from blunt force trauma. He was assaulted.
Was This a Message? And for Who?
Albert Ojwang’s killing is a warning — not just to those who dare to speak out, but to every Kenyan watching from the sidelines.
His arrest was not about justice. It was about silencing a voice that had grown too loud. His murder wasn’t spontaneous — it was executed with chilling precision, allegedly ordered from the very top, and carried out with state resources.
Why was Ojwang’ taken out of his cell? Why was he tortured in a forest and then dumped back into a cell? Why was the CCTV system disabled? And why is the man he exposed — Eliud Lagat — still sitting comfortably in office?
Lagat Must Be Held Accountable
This isn’t the first time the name Eliud Lagat has surfaced in controversies. But this is the first time it has ended in a death — a brutal, public killing of an innocent man whose only weapon was his voice.
Lagat must answer. He must come clean about his role in this operation. Who gave the order to take Ojwang’ to Karura? Who commanded the cover-up? And who told Central officers to ignore a bleeding, unconscious detainee?
The blood of Albert Ojwang’ is on the hands of those who plotted, executed, and covered up this barbaric crime. But it is also on the hands of every authority figure who now chooses to stay silent.
The Fight Isn’t Over
Ojwang’ leaves behind a wife, a child, and a legacy of courage. But his killers want that legacy buried with him.
We must not let that happen.
Kenyans must demand justice. The police can no longer be allowed to operate as judge, jury, and executioner. If this can happen to a teacher with a social media following, who is safe?
The system that killed Albert Ojwang’ must be dismantled — and it starts by holding Eliud Lagat and his accomplices accountable.
Justice delayed is justice denied. And for Albert Ojwang’, justice must now become a national demand.
