Senator Crystal Asige calls for immediate dismissal of IG Kanja and Lagat over Ojwang’s murder
Nominated Senator Crystal Asige has demanded the immediate dismissal of Inspector General Douglas Kanja and DIG Eliud Lagat following the controversial death of Albert Ojwang.
While speaking on the Senate floor on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Asige expressed outrage over what she described as a growing pattern of extrajudicial killings under the watch of senior police leadership.
She pointed out that since June last year, numerous incidents have taken place without accountability, arguing that the leadership has failed to stop these violations.
The senator compared the killings witnessed during the Gen Z protests to what is now happening inside police stations, saying that while the streets had become crime scenes during the demonstrations, police cells are now equally unsafe and have turned into crime scenes themselves.
“In June 2024, the streets were a crime scene; now, young people are being executed in a new place. It seems police cells have become a new crime scene, and as I proceed, I want to call for the IG and his deputy, who have heard too many extrajudicial killings under their belt in just one year, to be fired with immediate effect,” Asige stated.
Albert Ojwang’s rights
She highlighted several constitutional violations in Ojwang’s case, citing Articles 26, 28, and 29, which protect the right to life, dignity, and freedom from torture.
Asige questioned why Ojwang was arrested without a warrant, as required by Article 49, and why he was transferred over 300 kilometres from Homa Bay to Nairobi instead of being charged locally.
“Mr Speaker, there are too many rights that have been violated through the death and killing of Albert 26, 28, and 29 and other articles of the constitution. Why was Albert Ojwang arrested without a warrant or a clear explanation of charges as per Article 49? Why was he transferred over 350 km from Homa Bay to Nairobi, and why was he not charged locally? On what basis was he even detained in Nairobi?” Asige added
Asige also questioned the rationale for detaining Ojwang in Nairobi and raised concerns about the lack of safety and protection while in police custody, a requirement under Article 59 of the Police Act.
She concluded by stating that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations should not be involved in probing the matter, citing a ruling by Justice Mugambi that barred police from investigating cases believed to involve their own officers.
She emphasised that the responsibility for such investigations lies solely with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
