Ex-CJ Maraga Demands Prosecution of DIG Lagat Amid Ojwang Murder Probe

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has urgently called for the prosecution of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, in a statement featured on Citizen Digital.

Maraga framed Ojwang’s death not as an isolated incident but as part of a concerning trend of “fear being used to silence dissent and chip away at our constitutional protections.” He emphasized that Ojwang’s death—a 29-year-old blogger known for his digital commentary—signals a broader attack on freedom of expression, warning that unchecked power can have deadly consequences

Highlighting that digital rights are integral to human rights, Maraga firmly called on both the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to act “swiftly, transparently and justly” to avoid deepening public mistrust.

This public demand comes amid mounting pressure following an independent autopsy, which contradicted initial police claims of suicide by revealing signs of physical assault. The DPP is already pursuing allegations that OCS Samson Taalam, stationed at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, interfered with CCTV evidence—reportedly paying a technician to delete footage from the days leading up to Ojwang’s death .

Maraga’s intervention adds significant moral weight to ongoing legal and institutional efforts, reinforcing calls for accountability across the security establishment. As calls escalate—from human rights groups to political leaders like former AG Justin Muturi and former CS Fred Matiang’i—to hold top police brass responsible, Maraga’s statement makes clear: impunity cannot be tolerated, and those responsible must face the full weight of the wheels of justice