New revelations have emerged detailing how General Service Unit (GSU) officers stormed the Standard Group headquarters on Mombasa Road, Nairobi, over a fake front-page headline featuring Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat.
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How the Raid Unfolded
According to Standard Media Group, CCTV footage captured a white Probox vehicle with number plate KDD 055Z entering the premises on April 22, 2025. Three men, claiming to be GSU officers, entered the newsroom and interrogated journalists over a fake headline titled “The Richest Cop”—a publication that never existed.
Standard Media Group premises along Mombasa Road. PHOTO/The Standard
Fake Headlines and Mysterious Plates
A check with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed the Probox’s number plate was cloned from a black Subaru Forester. Soon after, a second fake headline titled “The Mafia Cop” emerged, alleging that Lagat had built a network of loyalists in the police force and acquired a Ksh 335.9 million Dubai property.
Connection to Ojwang’s Arrest and Death
Following these fake publications, DIG Lagat filed a formal complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Days later, on June 7, 2025, Albert Ojwang was arrested at his family home in Homa Bay County and transported to Nairobi’s Central Police Station. He later died in police custody, triggering national outrage.
Public Outcry and Political Pressure
Leaders including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Senator Boni Khalwale have demanded Lagat’s suspension. Gachagua accused Lagat of orchestrating the arrest, while Khalwale called for his immediate arrest. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot echoed these sentiments, urging Lagat to step aside to allow investigations to proceed impartially.
What This Means for Media Freedom
This incident raises questions about media freedom and the relationship between security agencies and news organizations in Kenya. As the case unfolds, both the Standard Group and law enforcement agencies remain under public scrutiny.
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