The Law Society (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, has raised several questions following the interdiction of several police officers and bosses at Nairobi's Central Police Station over the passing away of X influencer Albert Ojwang.
Speaking hours after the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, announced the suspension, Odhiambo expressed scepticism over the IG's failure to name the officers suspended.
"First of all, we ask the inspector general why he hasn't named particular officers who have been interdicted? What is the need for hiding and the ambiguity of saying any other officer? Let Kenyans know."
She demanded that IG Kanja release the full names of every officer who had been interdicted so that the public could follow the matter to its conclusion.
"While we note the efforts by the Inspector General in interdicting officers believed to have been involved in the conspiracy that led to Albert's demise to pave the way for investigations, the same is far from efficient in resolving the matter," she stated.
Additionally, she questioned whether the police officers involved in the actual apprehension of Ojwang in Homa Bay and driving him to Nairobi were a part of those who had been interdicted.
Failure to name names, the LSK President said that the IG's announcement would be treated as a mere public relations gimmick to calm down Kenyans.
In a press release after Onjwang's demise, Kanja announced the suspension of the Central Police Station OCS, the duty officer on shift during the night of the incident, the cell sentry, all present report office officers, and any other officer who may have had a role or presence during the incident.
Ojwang had reportedly been taken into custody for defaming the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, by publishing false information on social media.
As such, the LSK President demanded that the National Police Service unequivocally cooperate with investigators from the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to ascertain the circumstances leading up to the influencer's demise.
Specifically, she demanded that the NPS confirm that there will be no interference from DIG Lagat, who has been named as the complainant in the case that led to Ojwang's apprehension and eventual demise.
"To ascertain this, we equally call upon the deputy inspector general of the Kenya Police Service, Mr Eliud Lagat, to publicly and unconditionally recuse himself from taking part or influencing the investigation in any way save as may be required of him as a potential witness," she demanded.
She also called on IPOA to investigate previous reports of misconduct in the Central Police Station and Kamukunji Police Station as part of their inquiry into Ojwang's demise
