Nairobi County Member of Parliament, Esther Passaris, has come out strongly in defense of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, following growing calls for his dismissal over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
DIG Lagat has been accused of allegedly ordering Ojwang’s arrest over the suspected publication of false information on social media.
The circumstances surrounding the blogger’s death have sparked public outrage, with demands for accountability mounting.
However, Passaris has refuted claims implicating Lagat, stating that she was with him on Sunday, June 8, during a Kenya Alliance of Residents Association meeting when news of Ojwang’s death broke.
According to Passaris, Lagat appeared genuinely surprised and showed no signs of prior knowledge or involvement in the incident.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
“I was with Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat during a Kenya Alliance of Residents Association meeting on Sunday when the news broke. He was completely out of the loop. His composure reflected genuine surprise—not that of someone aware of, let alone involved in, the death of Albert Ojwang,” Passaris posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account.
The debate surrounding Ojwang’s death continues to divide public opinion.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since named five police officers linked with Ojwang’s arrest.
