Remember Ex-Police Boss and Westgate Attack Hero Stephen Lelei? Here is What Happened to Him Later

Over the past two decades, Kenya has witnessed the rise of several police officers who became widely known for their tough stance against crime. 

In many cases, these officers were praised by sections of the public for restoring order in areas previously gripped by insecurity. 

At the same time, their methods often drew sharp criticism from human rights groups and some residents who accused them of using excessive force and operating outside the law.

One such officer was Stephen Lelei, widely known by his nickname “Ocampo.” Lelei served as an Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in at least eight police stations across Nairobi and other high-crime areas. 

For years, he was regarded as a fearless officer deployed to trouble spots where crime had overwhelmed local communities.

Before 2013, Lelei was largely a low-profile police commander known mostly within Kabete and among fellow officers. 

However, his name entered the national spotlight during the September 21, 2013 terrorist attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi.

The Westgate attack, carried out by Al-Shabaab militants, left 67 people dead and shocked the country. 

As security agencies scrambled to contain the situation, Lelei was among the officers who confronted the attackers during the rescue operation. His actions during the crisis earned him national recognition.

Lelei was later listed among nine police officers honored for bravery in confronting the gunmen. For his courage, he received the Silver Star (SS) award from then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

The recognition elevated his profile and cemented his reputation as one of the officers willing to face danger head-on in the line of duty.

It was around this time that he acquired the nickname “Ocampo,” a reference to former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo. 

The nickname symbolized his perceived tough, uncompromising approach to crime and law enforcement.

However, Lelei’s story would later take a dramatic and troubling turn.

In 2016, he was among officers charged in connection with the murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, Kimani’s client Josephat Mwenda, and their taxi driver Joseph Muiruri. 

The case sparked national outrage and renewed debate about police conduct, accountability, and extrajudicial killings.

The incident marked a sharp fall from grace for the once-celebrated officer. The same toughness that had earned him praise now came under intense scrutiny as he faced serious criminal charges. 

Years later, Lelei also faced murder charges related to the killing of two people in Mlolongo Town, further complicating his legacy.

Friends and family later revealed that the weight of the charges and the prolonged legal battles took a heavy toll on him. 

According to those close to him, Lelei struggled with depression, which worsened over time.

Stephen Lelei eventually died at Kiambu Hospital on a Saturday after battling illness, with relatives citing depression as one of the major challenges he faced in his final months.