Maraga accuses police chiefs of cover-up over Ojwang's murder

Former Chief Justice David Maraga at Milimani court, Nairobi on Tuesday, June 3,2025. [ Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Former Chief Justice and presidential hopeful David Maraga has launched a scathing attack on senior police leadership and President William Ruto, accusing them of orchestrating a cover-up in the brutal death of blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang' while in police custody.

In a press statement, Maraga called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, linking him to the illegal arrest, torture, and murder of Ojwang'.

"If no prosecution is commenced against the IG, DIG Lagat, and DCI by June 25th, 2025, I will be formally joining efforts that seek to hold them accountable through private prosecutions," he stated.

According to Maraga, it is now evident that the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Inspector General (IG) of Police, and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat, among others, lied under oath regarding the circumstances of Ojwang's death.

"The patently contradictory statements issued over the past few days were meant to cover up the gruesome murder in the hands of those charged with maintaining law and order," the statement read in part.

On the extra-judicial killings and enhanced forced disappearances, the buck stops with the President. pic.twitter.com/vtx6fT5kle - David Maraga (@dkmaraga) June 16, 2025

He also took issue with President William Ruto's statement released on Albert Ojwang's murder terming it callous and calculated to avoid taking responsibility for kidnappings and killings that have happened under his watch, yet the buck stops with him.

"The backs of Kenyans are broken, but they are rising," he stated, invoking Article 37 of the Constitution that guarantees citizens the right to peacefully assemble and petition authority.

He urged continued civil pressure until top police officers implicated in the murder are arrested and charged.

Calling for a "reset" of the country's governance, Maraga appealed to Kenyans to continue civil pressure until top police officers implicated in the murder are arrested and charged.