Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has stepped aside as the investigations into the murder of a teacher and blogger, Albert Ojwang, continue.
Lagat has stepped aside pending the conclusion of investigations of Ojwang, who died while in police custody at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
In a statement issued on Monday, the embattled police boss confirmed his decision to step aside, noting that it was a personal and moral decision aimed at ensuring the integrity of the investigations.
"In the good and conscious thought of my role and responsibilities as the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, and given the ongoing investigations on the unfortunate incident of the death of Albert Ojwang, I have today opted to step aside from the office of the Deputy Inspector General—Kenya Police Service pending completion of investigations. The functions of the office will henceforth be performed by my deputy until completion of the investigations,'' Lagat stated.
Lagat, who took office in 2024, succeeding Kanja, who was promoted to the Inspector General position, committed to supporting ongoing investigations to see that justice is served.
"I undertake to provide any support that may be required of me during the investigations of the unfortunate incident. I offer immense condolences to the family of Albert Ojwang for their great loss.''
His deputy is set to take over his role temporarily pending the outcomes of the investigations that have since sparked uproar.
The move comes in the wake of mounting calls from human rights groups, civil society, and a section of lawmakers demanding accountability and transparency in the case. Over the past week, protests have been planned across major towns, with demonstrators calling for justice and an overhaul of police leadership implicated in custodial deaths.
In his current role, Lagat is mandated to oversee the day-to-day administration and operations of the Kenya Police Service, overseeing coordination, supervision, training, and internal oversight within the unit.
Before his DIG role, he was the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU) since 2023, an elite unit within the National Police Service.
Prior to the role, he served as the Director of Reforms at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in 2022, and before that, he was the Head of the Bomb and Hazardous Materials Unit at the bureau.
The developments come hours after former Chief Justice David Maraga had demanded the arrest of the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, his deputy, Lagat, and the Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohammed Amin, over the death of the influencer.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, June 16, the former CJ demanded that the arrests be made before June 25, failure to which he would join Kenyans in engaging in private prosecution against the three.
