While news of Albert Ojwang’s death in police custody was spreading across the country, Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli were reportedly enjoying a birthday party at AeroClub, Wilson Airport.
The party was in honour of Judge Dora Chepkwony, and it happened at the exact moment the public was demanding answers about how a young man arrested for defaming Lagat had ended up dead in a police cell.
This alone speaks volumes about where their priorities lie and how disconnected some senior police officials have become from the suffering of ordinary Kenyans. It didn’t come as a surprise when Maverick Aoko exposed this disturbing detail on X, describing how Lagat and Masengeli appeared completely unbothered, even as a storm was brewing over Ojwang’s suspicious death.
What makes the situation worse is the growing belief that Lagat holds unchecked power within the police service. From demanding bribes to using officers as personal enforcers, accusations against him are not new.
But Ojwang’s death has finally pushed the public to the edge. The fact that Lagat was the one who filed the complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest adds weight to the belief that he had a direct hand in what happened.
There are now serious concerns that he might be using the National Police Service as his own private militia. With claims surfacing about a $1.2 million house in Dubai and links to other powerful individuals like the Nandi County Secretary Francis Sang, it’s becoming increasingly hard to ignore the possibility that Lagat’s hands are not just dirty they’re soaked in corruption and impunity.
Calls for justice have been loud and clear. The hashtags #ArrestEliudLagat and #JusticeForAlbertOjwang have been trending for days, with Kenyans demanding accountability from a system that has let them down too many times.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja admitted that Ojwang’s arrest stemmed from Lagat’s complaint and even confirmed that some officers at Central Police Station had been interdicted. But that’s not enough.
The public knows this won’t stop unless the rot at the top is dealt with. People are no longer interested in cover-ups or empty press briefings. They want arrests. They want resignations. And more importantly, they want to see the powerful finally held to the same standards as everyone else.
Aoko’s claims didn’t just focus on Lagat. She also questioned Masengeli’s track record, especially his history of ignoring abductions of young people. She reminded the public that Masengeli had recently been sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court something that would be a career-ending scandal in any functioning democracy, yet here he is, still holding one of the top jobs in the country’s security sector.
The picture painted is one of a police force riddled with impunity, run by men who have no respect for human life or the constitution.
It’s also deeply disturbing that Judge Dora Chepkwony, whose birthday was being celebrated, is now caught in the middle of this mess. While there’s no direct evidence linking her to Ojwang’s death, her association with the officers under fire raises uncomfortable questions about the kind of networks that shield the powerful in this country.
Aoko went as far as calling her record “dirty,” comparing it to Nairobi’s filthy public toilets under Sakaja, a metaphor that speaks to public frustration with a judiciary perceived to be part of the same rotten system.
What’s clear is that Lagat has become a symbol of everything that’s wrong with Kenya’s security system. He represents a breed of officials who abuse their power, live lavishly, and operate above the law.
The fact that someone could be arrested and end up dead in custody for simply criticising a police boss shows how far we’ve fallen. And instead of showing concern, Lagat chose to party.
Instead of stepping aside for investigations, he continues to serve. This kind of behaviour is not just disrespectful it’s dangerous. It sends a message that some people are untouchable, no matter how serious the accusations against them may be.
The IPOA may still be investigating, but the court of public opinion has already passed its judgment. Eliud Lagat should not be anywhere near power. Every day he remains in office is a slap in the face of Albert Ojwang’s family and every Kenyan who believes in justice. It’s time to stop pretending this is just another unfortunate incident. It’s time to act.
#justiceforAlbertOjwang
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