DIG Eliud Lagat Resumes Duties Amid Ojwang Murder Outrage
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat will be back to work on Monday July 14 after being cleared in the probe into the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang who died in police custody last month.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that Lagat has been cleared and will resume duties immediately. “I hope to see him back in the office today because he has been cleared by all the investigations,” Kanja told the Nation.
An IPOA inquiry found no direct evidence linking Lagat to the assault that led to Ojwang’s death.
Ojwang, 31, was arrested in early June by DCI officers from his home in Kokwanyo village, Homa Bay County, while having lunch with his family. He was taken to Central Police Station in Nairobi where he died hours later from multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma – severe physical assault in custody.
As public outrage and pressure from civil society and political leaders mounted, Lagat voluntarily stepped aside on June 16 to allow for an impartial investigation. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen had defended Lagat at the time, saying he was a capable officer who upholds standards of investigation.
Five people have been charged with Ojwang’s murder. They are Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam, officers John Mukhwana and Peter Kimani and civilians John Ngige Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao and Brian Mwaniki Njue.
Leaders including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino had earlier demanded Lagat be prosecuted for his suspected role in Ojwang’s death.
The killing sparked a national outcry with human rights groups and citizens condemning it as state sponsored brutality. Ojwang’s case has become a symbol of the broader issue of police abuse and extrajudicial killings in Kenya.
Lagat’s return will reignite debate on accountability in the police leadership as the murder trial continues in court.
Ojwang was buried on July 4 in a moving ceremony attended by Gen Z youth and politicians from across the divide. His wife asked Kenyans to continue seeking justice for her husband who was buried just days before his birthday.Raila was not present at the funeral as expected. A family member said he was told to stay away as the youth had made it clear no government officials were allowed.
Also Read: Mysterious Dog Predicts Club World Cup Winner Ahead of Chelsea vs PSG Final
DIG Eliud Lagat Resumes Duties Amid Ojwang Murder Outrage