Lobby Group now demands DIG Langat's arrest

Acting deputy  Inspector general of police Eliud Langat when together with other senior police officers they joined the acting Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja in addressing  the press outside Jogoo house Nairobi on Sunday,July 14,2024 on the recovered bodies from Mukuru Kwa Njenga.[Collins Kweyu,standard]

The Geneva-based Institute for Human Rights (IHR) is calling for the immediate arrest of Deputy Inspector of Police Eliud Lagat, who is linked to the murder of blogger Albert Ojwang while he was in police custody.

In a statement to the media, IHR President David Koros announced that the organization will advocate for a private prosecution of Langat and all those involved in the murder.

He stressed the urgency of Lagat's arrest, stating that his freedom could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

“He should be arrested immediately and asked to record a statement as a complainant in the case leading to Ojwang's death. His freedom is likely to compromise the ongoing investigations, as he could access statements already recorded by other suspects,” Koros said.

Koros criticized the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) for failing to prompt Lagat to record his statement regarding his complaint against Ojwang.

He argued that Lagat’s connection to the National Police Service necessitates his detention.

“The rule of natural justice demands that a complainant must record a statement before a case is pursued, along with any further statements that may be required,” he explained.

The IHR President supported Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga's suggestion to pursue a private prosecution if the state does not arrest Langat.

“Kenya ratified the Convention Against Torture in 1997 and is bound by its provisions. The police have no justification for torture,” he asserted.

On Monday, Justice Maraga called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin, whom he accused of orchestrating a ‘cover-up’ in Ojwang's death.

The retired Chief Justice also urged for the arrest and prosecution of DIG Langat, who had stepped aside on Monday.

Koros further criticized President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for making a cash donation to Ojwang's family, suggesting that the gesture does not align with the prevailing situation surrounding Ojwang's death.

"I want to challenge Raila and Ruto to stop interfering with justice by donating Sh1 million and Sh 2 million respectively. This is unexceptionable, Raila seem to have inherited the bad habit from Ruto of giving the family of Ojwang the money.  This not right," he said,

Ojwang's death has sparked nationwide protests that entered their second day yesterday, with riots reported in Nairobi City.