Nandi residents held protests on Tuesday in defence of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat as other protesters gathered on the streets in Nairobi and Mombasa, amid growing public fury over the death of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
The locals in Kipkaren, held placards and twigs, stating that the DIG was being 'wrongly accused.
According to a protester who spoke to Julisha.co.ke, Lagat is a ''religious man who once aspired to be a priest and would cause no one harm, leave alone taking a life".
Meanwhile, Ojwang’s murder reignited nationwide outrage over police brutality and renewed calls for reforms and accountability in the security sector.
Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay County on June 6 over alleged defamation of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. He was transported more than 350 kilometres to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he was found dead two days later.
Lagat has so far stepped aside from his position to pave the way for investigations into the death of Ojwang.
The DIG, whose name has featured prominently in the ongoing probe, voluntarily relinquished his duties amid mounting public pressure and calls from senior figures, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, for his arrest and prosecution.
In a statement on Monday, June 16, Lagat said; “In the good and conscious thought of my role and responsibilities as the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service, and, in view of the ongoing investigations on the unfortunate incident of the death of Mr. Albert Ojwang’, I have today opted to step aside from the office of the Deputy Inspector General – Kenya Police Service pending completion of investigations.”
Police had by 9.00 am begun deploying around key flashpoints, including the area surrounding the National Archives. Officers were also seen patrolling major streets across the city, bracing for possible demonstrations.
An ugly confrontation between police, protesters, and a seemingly hired group of youths riding motorcycles ensued on University Way in Nairobi. Before police dispersed crowds of protesters who were marching in the streets of the city, especially University Way, a group of youths arrived to fight off protesters, robbing them of their phones.
Police lobbed teargas at activists gathering around the Nation Centre on Kimathi Street in Nairobi CBD, to call out extrajudicial killings and demand accountability for victims and their families.
Activists in Mombasa were arrested while holding protests over Ojwang's murder. The activists were complaining that they were denied permission to conduct the peaceful demos after submitting a letter to the police, which was rejected.
