CS Murkomen Refuses to Suspend DIG Lagat Despite Public Rage Over Albert Ojwang Death.

In a press briefing that’s left Kenyans reeling, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat will not be stepping aside, even as public anger boils over the mysterious death of Albert Ojwang in police custody.

Murkomen, speaking Monday, June 16, stood firm on the government’s stance, stating that investigations by the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) had so far failed to present damning evidence linking DIG Lagat directly to the controversial death.“DIG Lagat is a seasoned officer.

IPOA is doing its work. If we find any wrongdoing, we’ll deal with it when that time comes,” Murkomen told reporters. “But as things stand now, there’s no justification for a resignation.”

This declaration comes despite a growing storm across Kenya, with protests mounting and outrage surging online. The DIG was the complainant who initially brought Ojwang to Central Police Station—where he later died.

Critics say this fact alone should have disqualified him from continuing in office while investigations are underway.Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has also brushed off calls for Lagat’s removal, describing the outrage as “misinformed.”

But former Chief Justice David Maraga isn’t having it.Just hours before Murkomen’s remarks, Maraga demanded that DIG Lagat, IG Kanja, and DCI boss Mohammed Amin be arrested and prosecuted before June 25—or risk facing mass protests and private legal action from citizens.

Murkomen, however, deflected the pressure by announcing sweeping changes in police operations. In response to Ojwang’s case, the CS declared that all 1,209 police stations across Kenya will be fitted with CCTV cameras within two years, with secure backups and real-time access for the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), who will now be held accountable for any footage tampering.

Additionally, Murkomen pledged to digitize the Occurrence Book (OB) system in every police station within 12 months to improve transparency and accountability in police records.

Yet, even with these promises, many Kenyans feel justice is being delayed—and possibly denied. With June 25 protests looming and opposition voices growing louder, the government’s stance on DIG Lagat may not hold for long.