Nairobi, June 16 : The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police, Eliud Lagat, has sent his condolences to the family of teacher and Influencer Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody.
Ojwang’, who was arrested following a defamation complaint filed by DIG Lagat, died while being held at Central Police Station. The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, told the Senate on June 11 that the matter was being investigated, adding that it had originated from online posts alleging corruption involving Lagat.
“The post claimed that he was involved in corruption within the NPS. Specifically, the published information alleged that Lagat has strategically placed his most trusted officers in charge of the DCI books desk and traffic shifts to control both revenue streams and intelligence flow,” IG Kanja told Senators.
He further cited another post that depicted DIG Lagat alongside senior traffic commander Joseph Chirchir with the caption: “EACC investigating top cop after purchase of $2.6 million home in Dubai,” and the headline “Eliud Lagat mafia police.”
As the investigation gained momentum, Kenyans staged protests last week demanding Lagat’s resignation.
Lagat has now stepped aside from his position to pave the way for investigations into the death Ojwang’.
The DIG, whose name has featured prominently in the ongoing probe, voluntarily relinquished his duties amid mounting public pressure and calls from senior figures, for his arrest and prosecution.
In a statement on Monday, June 16, Lagat said; “In the good and conscious thought of my role and responsibilities as the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service, and, in view of the ongoing investigations on the unfortunate incident of the death of Mr. Albert Ojwang’, I have today opted to step aside from the office of the Deputy Inspector General – Kenya Police Service pending completion of investigations.”
Lagat added that his deputy would take over his responsibilities in the interim and pledged to cooperate fully with investigators.
“I undertake to provide any support that may be required of me during the investigations of the unfortunate incident." he said.
The DIG, expressed remorse for the loss, sending his condolences message to the family of the late Ojwang, in what was his first statement on the incident.
" I offer immense condolences to the family of Mr. Albert Ojwang for their great loss,” read the statement in part.
Who is Eliud Lagat?
Eliud Kipkoech Lagat is the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service, which is a branch of the National Police Service (NPS). The other branch, the Administration Police Service, is headed by DIG Gilbert Masengeli.
Langat was appointed DIG in July 2024, succeeding Douglas Kanja Kirocho, who became the Inspector General of Police. Before his appointment, Langat was the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU), an elite unit within the National Police Service with a strength of about 12,000 officers.
He had held that role since April 2023, following changes announced by the Office of the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.
Lagat has over 25 years of experience in the police service.
He has served in several specialised units, including as the head of the Bomb and Hazardous Materials Unit and the Directorate of Reforms at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Lagat’s career at the NPS began in 1998 when he joined the institution and trained at the Kenya Police College in Kiganjo.
In 2000, he was an Inspector of police attached to the Bomb Disposal and was based at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) now Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Training School and DCI Headquarters.
Between 2001 to 2005 he was a forensic investigator still attached to DCI Headquarters.
Afterwards, he was promoted to the Deputy Head Crime Scene Support Unit based at the DCI Headquarters, a position he held until 2007.
However, in 2020, he was named the Deputy Director- DCI Reforms Section and was promoted to head the same unit in 2023.
Whereas in October 2022 he was named the Director Investigations Bureau a position he held until April 2023 when he was named the Commandant.
Lagat holds a master’s degree in Armed Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Nairobi (UoN)having graduated in 2010. Likewise, he earned a Bachelor of Technology in Automotive from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.
