TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has sparked a public uproar after demanding the immediate arrest and life imprisonment of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

The MP made the statement during the burial of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody.

Ojwang was arrested from his home in Homa Bay and taken to Nairobi’s Central Police Station. It is there, according to multiple sources, that he lost his life.

The exact cause and circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, but the case has fuelled growing concerns over police brutality and abuse of power in Kenya.

During his address at the funeral, Babu accused the police service of straying from its constitutional mandate of safeguarding life and property.

He argued that officers had instead become a threat to the very citizens they are meant to protect.

"Police are supposed to protect life and property. But today, it is the police who are taking away the lives of Kenyans," he said. "We bitterly condemn this trend and say that any officer involved in the murder of Albert must be arrested, taken to court and jailed."

Babu went further to mention Lagat by name, declaring that he must be arrested.

"We must start with Eliud Lagat. He must be arrested, taken to court and jailed for life over Albert's death," he said.

His remarks were met with loud cheers from the mourners, many of whom shouted chants demanding justice for the slain blogger.

What role did Lagat play in Albert Ojwang's death?

TUKO.co.ke previously reported that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that Ojwang had been arrested by detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) shortly before his death.

Kanja explained that Ojwang’s arrest followed a formal complaint by Lagat.

According to the police boss, Lagat claimed the blogger had published false information online that allegedly damaged his reputation.

The IG also dismissed reports suggesting the blogger had not been officially booked into the station.

He maintained that all procedures were followed and said investigations were ongoing to establish the cause of death.

Source: TUKO.co.ke