Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat will step aside if he is found culpable in the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja told Parliament on Thursday.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Security, Kanja said an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is ongoing and that “no one will be spared” should the probe establish wrongdoing.
“There is an ongoing investigation by IPOA, and every person whose name is mentioned as having played any role in the death of the late Albert Ojwang must record a statement and give their side,” Kanja said.
“If the DIG is going to be mentioned, then definitely he will make a statement,” he added. “I believe it is on that basis that he can step aside to allow for the completion of the investigation.”
IG Kanja was flanked by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin and his deputy, Gilbert Masengeli. He said that if Lagat is implicated, stepping aside will be necessary to preserve the integrity and transparency of the process.
- Protests rock Nairobi CBD over Ojwang’s death in custody
- Murkomen, IG Kanja grilled over death of blogger in police custody
- What killed Albert Ojwang? Outrage grows over death in custody
Ojwang’s death in custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station has triggered public outrage and fresh calls for police reform. The matter is being investigated both by IPOA and a Senate committee, amid growing pressure on the government to hold officers accountable.
Kanja also confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the tampering of CCTV systems at the police station. “We have CCTV at Central Police Station, and currently the investigations are being carried out by IPOA,” he said, adding that one of the cameras had been unplugged and forensic experts are working to retrieve footage from the hard drive.
The Security Committee, chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo, is expected to table its report later today.
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