Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja and the Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohammed Amin, over what he termed as a coordinated ‘cover-up’ in the death of Albert Ojwang.
The retired CJ also asked that the IG and Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who has been under pressure to resign over Ojwang’s death, be arrested and prosecuted.
Addressing a press conference in Nairobi on Monday, Maraga claimed the top police leadership lied under oath about the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death while in police custody, warning that such acts were eroding public trust in state institutions.
“It is now clear that the IG, DCI, Lagat, and many other leaders blatantly lied under oath about the brutal killing of Ojwang, contradicting police statements which falsely claimed that he hit himself on the head,” Maraga claimed.
The former CJ further faulted three key institutions—the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA)—for what he termed as misleading the public and failing in their mandate to uphold justice and accountability.
“These institutions charged with maintaining law and order have lied under oath, and as a result, Kenyans have lost trust in them,” he stated.
“This cannot be allowed to continue. Our institutions of human rights and justice need serious resetting and rebuilding.”
He also voiced strong support for ongoing efforts by Kenyans who have petitioned for private prosecution against those implicated in Ojwang’s death and warned that if state agencies fail to act, he and other concerned citizens will initiate fresh charges.
“If no action is taken, we will join those pushing for private prosecution. The law provides for it, and if the DPP or other agencies fail to act, we are ready to pursue justice ourselves,” Maraga declared, setting a deadline of June 25, 2025, for state action.
“There is prima facie evidence that Lagat is implicated—either directly or indirectly, by himself or through accomplices—in the illegal arrest, torture, strangulation, and eventual murder of Ojwang. Yet he remains in office. This kind of impunity must end,” he added.
Ojwang, a social media influencer and teacher, died on June 7 while in custody at Central Police Station in Nairobi, sparking widespread outrage and demands for accountability
by JAMES MBAKA
