Police Sought X Account Details from Communications Authority in Probe Linked to Albert Ojwang’

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has revealed that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought details of specific X (formerly Twitter) accounts from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in connection to online posts allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

Appearing before the Senate, IG Kanja outlined the sequence of events that led to the controversial arrest and subsequent death of blogger Albert Ojwang’ in police custody. At the center of the investigation was an X account under the handle **@Pixelpioneer**, which had reportedly published posts accusing DIG Lagat of misconduct and corruption.

One of the posts, read aloud by Kanja, alleged:

> “Mr. Eliud Lagat had strategically placed his most trusted officers in charge of DCI desks and traffic shifts in order to control both revenue streams and intelligence flow.”

Another post included a photo of DIG Lagat with Joseph Chirchir, a Nairobi-based senior officer, alongside the caption:

> “EACC investigating top cop after purchase of USD 2.6 million home in Dubai… Eliud Lagat, Mafia police.”

According to Kanja, DCI investigators wrote to CA on June 4, requesting registration details and preservation of content associated with the Pixelpioneer account. CA responded that the handle was active, with over 13,400 followers.

In addition to Pixelpioneer, the police also investigated an account named @Kelvinmwicheles, linked to Kelvin Moinde, who was arrested in Migori County. CA reportedly provided account details and linked posts, which led to Moinde’s apprehension and questioning at DCI headquarters.

Moinde, according to IG Kanja, named four other individuals during his statement, including the late Albert Ojwang’, Dorcas Mawia, Douglas Marigiri, and Peter Mbugua, all allegedly connected to the digital defamation campaign. Their corresponding X handles were also shared with investigators.

A team was then dispatched to Homa Bay on June 7, where Ojwang’ was arrested and transported to Central Police Station in Nairobi, arriving at 9:17 PM.

Ojwang’s subsequent death in custody has sparked national outrage, prompting calls for an independent investigation. Rights activists and members of the public have demanded accountability over what many believe was a case of unlawful detention and possible abuse.

IG Kanja has since retracted an earlier suicide explanation for Ojwang’s death, stating that further investigations are underway.