Amnesty slams police over Ojwang murder, calls for DIG Lagat’s resignation and swift justice

Amnesty International Kenya has condemned the police over a growing pattern of brutality, abductions, and disregard for constitutional rights, warning that failure to prosecute officers implicated in the murder of Albert Ojwang and other abuses will entrench impunity and widen the rift between citizens and the justice system.

The organisation has called for swift, impartial prosecutions of officers linked to killings, injuries, and abductions of protesters, and urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to fast-track the 60 active pending investigations.

Amnesty Kenya Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton said the National Police Service must undergo deep structural reforms, noting that the unchecked use of force and criminalisation of online speech and peaceful assembly were clear signs of democratic backsliding.

“I would like to see the arrests of officers, I would like to see court trials be impartial and swift, so that we can bring this incident to an end. I would like to see the 60 cases IPOA is investigating taken to court. Protesters who were killed, injured or abducted, their cases should be concluded,” Houghton said during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday.

“I would like to see deep systemic reforms within the police service and an end to assault on civil liberties—that is, the right to expression, right to assembly, right to organise and a society that does not criminalise online speech.”

Voluntarily step aside

Amid growing outrage over the death of teacher Albert Ojwang, Houghton called on Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat to voluntarily step aside out of moral obligation, warning that his continued stay in office was undermining the credibility of the institution he serves.

“He is stepping down not because he is guilty but because he respects the reputation of national service. For many Kenyans, he is a person of interest until courts prove otherwise. For him to continue, he would jeopardise the reputation of the service,” Houghton said.

The Amnesty Kenya boss emphasised that stepping aside was not an admission of guilt but a constitutional duty in the face of public distrust and controversy.

“I strongly urge you to step down, not because of guilt but because in moments like these, one steps down to allow the process to be impartially investigated and concluded,” he said in a direct message to Lagat.

“It’s not about his personal liability, but what you do about Chapter 6 of the Constitution when your reputation is smeared. It was patently wrong for him to even talk about this case together with the IG it really hurt the police's image.”

Credible investigations

His remarks came a day after religious leaders also demanded that Lagat and others involved in Ojwang’s death vacate office to pave the way for a credible probe.

In a joint statement on Sunday, religious leaders under the Kenya Coalition of Church Alliances and Ministries (KCCM), led by Vice Chair Stephen Mutua, condemned the killing of Ojwang, noting that those implicated must step down to restore public trust.

“Anybody and everybody who is involved should step down. If they are later found not guilty, no problem, they will be reinstated to their places of work. We want to see what the reason was. Why did Albert Ojwang die? Who was responsible?” Mutua asked.

“We are deeply troubled by this incident, which raises serious questions about the moral integrity of some of our police officers and the broader issue of accountability within the National Police Service.”

The clergy also appealed to President William Ruto to lead efforts to reform the security sector in line with the Constitution, saying the state must uphold its duty to protect all Kenyans.

“We urge you to lead from the front in reaffirming that the role of our security agencies is to protect the people of Kenya, not to intimidate or abduct them. The tragic death of the blogger, alongside other reported cases of excessive force, has deeply eroded the public trust,” Mutua said.

Ojwang’s death has triggered a storm of criticism against the police and renewed calls from civil society for far-reaching changes within the country’s law enforcement agencies.