NAIROBI, Kenya – Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Kipkoech Lagat has resigned, following mounting public pressure and a widening investigation into the controversial death of 31-year-old Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody.
Lagat’s resignation comes just days after police confirmed that he had filed a defamation complaint which led to Ojwang’s arrest—an arrest that preceded the young man’s unexplained death at Central Police Station in Nairobi.
Addressing the Senate on June 11, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja disclosed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched a probe after social media posts accused Lagat of corruption and abuse of power within the National Police Service.
“The post claimed that he was involved in corruption within the NPS. Specifically, it alleged that Lagat had strategically positioned loyal officers to control DCI book entries and traffic operations, essentially manipulating both intelligence and revenue streams,” Kanja told senators.
Another viral post, according to Kanja, featured Lagat alongside a senior traffic officer under the headline: “Eliud Lagat mafia police,” and claimed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) was investigating the duo over the purchase of a $2.6 million property in Dubai.
Public outrage has been steadily growing, with protesters last Tuesday taking to the streets demanding Lagat’s removal and justice for Ojwang’.
Calls for accountability intensified after former Chief Justice David Maraga publicly urged Lagat’s arrest and prosecution.
“There is prima facie evidence that Mr. Eliud Lagat—directly or indirectly—is implicated in the illegal arrest, torture, strangulation, and eventual murder of the late Albert Ojwang’. Yet, he remained in office. It is now time to immediately arrest and institute prosecutions against Mr. Lagat,” Maraga stated on Monday.
Already, Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam and Police Constable James Mukhwana have been arrested in connection to the case.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also detained three civilian detainees—Gin Ammitou Abwao, Collins Karani Ireri, and Brian Mwaniki Njue—who were allegedly used by officers to assault Ojwang’ in custody.
The circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death have exposed deep-rooted flaws in police conduct and accountability mechanisms, with IPOA confirming that key CCTV footage from the police station is missing.
A postmortem report revealed that Ojwang’ arrived dead at Mbagathi Hospital, with visible bruises on the back of his head, contradicting police claims that he injured himself in his cell.
Lagat’s resignation, while a significant development, has raised further questions about systemic rot within the police service—and whether more high-ranking officials may be held responsible.
