Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has clarified why Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat had not resigned amid mounting public pressure and ongoing investigations into the controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on National Security, IG Kanja explained that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) was currently conducting an independent investigation into the matter, and the next action against Lagat would depend on the outcome.
"There is an ongoing investigation by IPOA. Every person whose name will be mentioned as having played any role that led to the death of the late Albert Ojwang must record a statement," Kanja said.
Kanja insisted that it would be improper for the DIG to be forced to vacate office based solely on public pressure or speculation.
The DIG clarified that if evidence implicated DIG Lagat in the ongoing probe, it would lead to action from the National Police Service. "If the DIG is mentioned, he will step aside," he added.
Lagat has been under fire in recent days in the wake of Ojwang's passing, particularly after it emerged that the DIG was the complainant in a case that led to the arrest of the blogger in Homa Bay.
On Wednesday, Kanja revealed details of the alleged posts that DIG Lagat had reported. He stated that the account, which had over 13,000 followers, had allegedly published false information accusing the DIG of involvement in corruption within the National Police Service.
Lagat was a notable absentee from the parliamentary proceedings on Thursday, although his counterpart, Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, attended alongside DCI boss Mohamed Amin.
Meanwhile, several petitioners took matters into their own hands on Wednesday by filing a petition at the Milimani Law Court, seeking to initiate private prosecution proceedings against Lagat.
In their petition, the petitioners criticised investigative agencies for failing to take appropriate action regarding the controversy surrounding the death of Ojwang.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi Central Business District saw normal service disrupted on Thursday after hundreds of youth stormed the streets demanding the resignation of Lagat.
The protests threatened to cripple major operations within the CBD, as Kenyans awaited the reading of the 2025/2026 Budget by Treasury CS John Mbadi.
