Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has confirmed that the late influencer Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody, was under investigation for allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
Responding to questions from journalists during a press briefing at Central Police Station in Nairobi on Monday, Kanja revealed that the DIG had lodged a formal complaint against Ojwang, prompting his arrest and subsequent questioning.
"There was a complaint that had been logged by the DIG KPS (Eliud Lagat) that his name was being tarnished, and that is why Albert Ojwang was arrested," Kanja said.
The IG said Ojwang was not mistreated while in police custody, insisting that just like any other Kenyan, his deputy had a right to complain.
He added that Ojwang was arrested at his home in Homa Bay County on Friday by DCI officers. The influencer was arrested on allegations of publishing false information, questioned on Saturday, and booked under OB number 136/7/6/2025 at 9:35 pm.
According to Kanja, after investigations, Ojwang, who was a teacher by profession, was later transferred to a holding unit within the station where he was locked up.
However, during routine checks by officers on duty, police later discovered that Ojwang was unconscious in his cell. He was taken to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed the launch of investigations into the passing of Ojwang. The authority revealed that its officers were dispatched to the station and that IPOA chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan visited the scene on Sunday night to assess the circumstances first-hand.
IPOA stated that investigations had officially started and assured the public, particularly Ojwang’s family, that the matter would be handled transparently. The authority also appealed to recently appointed police officials not to interfere with or stifle the ongoing probe.
The developments come less than an hour after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called for the suspension of DIG Lagat over the death of Ojwang.
Gachagua further alleged that Lagat "personally" operates the Kamukunji Police Station and the Central Police Station, Nairobi, without the knowledge of IG Kanja and claimed that this was the key reason that Ojwang was apprehended in Homa Bay and moved to the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
According to the former DP, the suspension of the Deputy IG will be pivotal in making way for meaningful investigations into what exactly transpired. Police had earlier claimed that Ojwang had hit his head on the wall, causing injuries that led to his succumbing while in police custody at the station.
