NAIROBI — Nyali MP Mohammed Ali has called for the immediate resignation and prosecution of Deputy Inspector General of Police Lagat, linking him to the controversial death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody. Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, speaking publicly on Friday, said the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death point to a serious abuse of power. MP Ali warned that Lagat’s return to office, despite an active investigation, sends a dangerous message about accountability within the National Police Service. “I have talked about a lot of things, including extrajudicial killings, which should end. I hear he has returned to the office; he should go home. We are not going to allow him,” MP Ali said during a press briefing in Mombasa.
Ojwang died in a police cell under unclear circumstances. His family and human rights advocates have maintained that his death was preventable and remains suspicious.
“This young man should have walked out of that station alive. We’re not negotiating this. Lagat must be taken to court. If found guilty, he must face jail,” MP Ali added.
The statement followed a recent High Court ruling that declined to block Lagat’s return to office. In a petition filed by UK-based activist Eliud Matindi, the court chose not to issue temporary orders, stating that the petition must be fully heard before a decision could be made. Justice Chacha Mwita instead directed Lagat, the Attorney General, and the National Police Service Commission to respond to the petition by July 23.
Matindi’s petition argued that Lagat’s continued stay in office compromises the credibility of ongoing investigations and violates the National Police Service Act. Matindi’s petition also disputed Lagat’s delegation of powers to Patrick Tito, claiming the move lacked legal basis.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) refuted reports claiming Lagat had been cleared. In a statement issued last week, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Isaac Hassan confirmed that the investigation remains open. “The investigation into the death of Albert Ojwang is still ongoing. Any reports suggesting that DIG Lagat has been cleared are incorrect and misleading,” the statement read.
The authority clarified that any recommendations for prosecution or disciplinary action would be based strictly on the findings. “If culpability is established, IPOA will submit the appropriate recommendations to hold any individual accountable,” the statement added.
The case has reignited debate over police abuse, accountability, and reform, especially in cases involving deaths in custody. Activists and community leaders in Mombasa and beyond have raised concern about systemic failures that continue to deny justice to victims.
As the 2027 general election draws closer, MP Ali has taken an increasingly vocal stance on security and justice. Earlier Saturday, he declared that his political loyalty lies not with any party, but with the people of Mombasa.
“When the hour comes, it won’t be my voice alone. It’ll be the people’s roar,” Nyali MP Mohammed MP said. Ali was first elected as an independent in 2017 before joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in 2022. He has since clashed with party leaders, accusing them of plotting to block his re-election bid.
Despite UDA’s Mombasa branch dismissing his concerns and labeling him a “political tourist,” Nyali MP Ali has stood firm, stating he will follow the will of his constituents. “I’ll walk the path chosen by the people. I’m not afraid of standing alone,” he said.
The political fallout around Lagat’s case and Ali’s defiance is likely to intensify scrutiny on how institutions handle police conduct. For now, the pressure on the government to deliver justice for Ojwang and restore trust in the police remains high.
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