Former police spokesperson Charles Owino has urged patience and due process amid growing calls for Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat’s resignation following the controversial death of Albert Ojwang’ in police custody. Ojwang’ was arrested after DIG Lagat filed a defamation complaint against him and later died while being held at Central Police Station, Nairobi.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Owino argued that it is premature to demand Lagat’s resignation, emphasizing that proper investigations must be conducted before any conclusions are drawn. “Calling for Lagat to step down at this stage is too early because the person who has actual responsibility of custody is the OCS and his officers,” said Owino.
He further defended Lagat’s right to lodge a complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), stating that the DIG cannot be held directly responsible for what transpired after Ojwang’s arrest. “He has a right as an individual to complain when he thinks he’s getting maligned,” Owino said, suggesting that Lagat is the target of a coordinated political witch hunt.
Owino also cast doubt on police claims that Ojwang’ died from self-inflicted injuries, saying the lack of credible witnesses raises questions about the official version. “You can only come up with a theory of someone hitting his head if he was with two or three other people who could have witnessed. If there was nobody, how do you come up with this theory?” he posed.
The autopsy on Ojwang’s body was initially scheduled for Monday but was postponed to Tuesday, June 10. Owino stressed the importance of the autopsy and called for scrutiny of the officers on duty at the time.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has urged Inspector General Japhet Koome to act transparently. LSK President Faith Odhiambo called on the police to publicly release the names of the officers interdicted, including those who transferred Ojwang’ from Homa Bay to Nairobi.
The incident has ignited fresh debate about police accountability and the treatment of detainees in Kenya, with civil rights groups demanding justice and a thorough probe into Ojwang’s death.
