Mount Kenya Jurists have moved to court seeking for the removal of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat for his hand in the arrest, torture, and subsequent death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
In the application filed in court, they also want the court to restrain him Lagat from accessing his office, performing the duties of DIG, or accessing any facility of the National Police Service, pending investigations by the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the commencement of prosecution against those responsible.
According to court papers, the application arises from the killing of Albert Ojwang, who was reportedly arrested by DCI officers on June 6, 2025, over social media posts implicating the DIG in corruption.
They argue that Lagat, being the initial complainant in the cybercrime case, should be a person of interest the resulting death and that his continued presence in office poses a serious conflict of interest and could lead to interference with investigations.
“They cite reports of evidence tampering, including interference with CCTV footage, and allege a potential cover-up if he is not temporarily removed,” they argue
They claim that no action has been taken against the Deputy IG, who is a far more senior officer and
potentially implicated.
“The Deputy IG remains in office and, by virtue of his high rank, retains command authority and access to investigative resources even as the probe into Ojwang’s death unfolds,”reads court papers
Further it is their argument that justice for the deceased and public confidence in the rule of law can only be safeguarded if Lagat is barred from exercising his official duties until the matter is conclusively investigated and prosecuted.
“There are allegations of evidence tampering – for example, reports that the CCTV camera at Central Police Station was interfered with or disabled during the material time – which heighten fears of a cover-up if the status quo persists,”reads court papers
