NAIROBI, Kenya – Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is set to return to office after being cleared of any involvement in the controversial death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who died in police custody last month.
Lagat voluntarily stepped aside on June 16, handing over his duties to his deputy Patrick Tito, amid mounting public pressure and an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Ojwang died on June 8, 2025, at Nairobi Central Police Station, where he was being held after his arrest by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
A post-mortem revealed that he had been strangled and beaten, triggering national outrage.
Lagat had filed the initial complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest, after the blogger allegedly linked him to corruption in a social media post.
Although he was not directly implicated in Ojwang’s death, the nature of the complaint raised questions about possible abuse of office.
“I have opted to step aside pending the completion of investigations,” Lagat said in a public statement in June, pledging full cooperation with IPOA.
On Sunday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that Lagat had been cleared of any culpability and was expected back in office.
Six Charged Over Ojwang’s Death
Though Lagat was absolved, six individuals have since been charged with murder in connection with Ojwang’s death.
These include Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam, police officers John Mukhwana and Peter Kimani, and civilians John Ngige Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue.
Activist Seeks Court Action Over Lagat’s Return
Lagat’s return has not gone unchallenged. Eliud Karanja Matindi, a UK-based activist, has filed a constitutional petition at the Milimani High Court seeking Lagat’s official removal from office.
Matindi argues that by voluntarily stepping aside, Lagat effectively resigned under Section 12 of the National Police Service Act, and should not be allowed to return.
“Mr Lagat is deemed to have resigned as DIG on June 16, 2025… having determined, on his own motion, that he could no longer lawfully discharge the functions of DIG,” reads the petition.
The activist also faults the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) for failing to formally address the issue or appoint an acting DIG, instead allowing Lagat to name Tito to the position—an act Matindi says violates the Constitution.
“There can only be one DIG at any one time. The charade of having both a substantive and acting DIG is unconstitutional,” the petition reads.
The case, which names NPSC, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Lagat, Tito, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Katiba Institute as respondents or interested parties, is set for mention today before Justice Chacha Mwita.
