Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, has stepped aside from his position amid mounting public pressure and allegations surrounding the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody.
In a statement on Monday, Lagat said: “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 into 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 the investigations are concluded.”
He added that he would provide any support required of him during the investigations and extended his condolences to the family of Albert Ojwang.
Calls for Lagat to resign had intensified in recent weeks, with Kenyans demanding accountability following the controversial arrest and death of Ojwang. Public pressure grew after nationwide protests last week demanding his resignation.
The latest development came just hours after former Chief Justice David Maraga called for Lagat’s immediate arrest and prosecution, citing prima facie evidence linking him to Ojwang’s arrest, torture, and eventual death.
Maraga said: “There is prima facie evidence that Mr Eliud Lagat, directly or indirectly—by himself or through his accomplices—is implicated in the illegal arrest, torture, strangulation, and eventual murder of the late Albert Ojwang. It is now time to immediately arrest and institute prosecutions against Mr Lagat.”
The former CJ further demanded the arrests of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, his deputy Eliud Lagat, and the Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin before 25 June. He warned that failure to act would compel him to join Kenyans in pursuing private prosecution against the three.
– By Jeremiah Richu
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