Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Kenya Police Service Eliud Kipkoech Lagat has resigned.
The top police boss’ name has been at the centre of investigations on the unexplained murder of Albert Ojwang’, after he made a defamation complaint leading to the deceased’s arrest.
Police Inspector General (IG) Douglas Kanja told Senators on June 11 that the probe started when online posts claimed DIG Lagat was involved in corruption within the National Police Service (NPS).
“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 in order to control both revenue streams and intelligence flow,” Kanja said.
Kanja added that another post depicted DIG Lagat alongside Joseph Chirchir, a senior traffic commander, under the caption “EACC investigating top cop after purchase of $2.6 million home in Dubai, accompanied by Lagat’s image and the headline “Eliud Lagat mafia police”.
Vexed Kenyans had taken to the streets last Tuesday calling for Lagat’s resignation as the probe ensued.
On Monday, former Chief Justice David Maraga called for the arrest and prosecution of Lagat.
Maraga noted that ideally, the security bosses at the centre of Ojwang’s mysterious death led by DIG Eliud Lagat should have stepped aside immediately.
“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’. Yet, Mr. Lagat still remains in office. It is now time to immediately arrest and institute prosecutions against Mr. Lagat,” Maraga stated.
Currently Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam and Police Constable James Mukhwana have been arrested.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also arrested three civilians among them Gin Ammitou Abwao, Collins Karani Ireri, and Brian Mwaniki Njue — who were detainees at the Central Police Station when Ojwang’ was held there.
Authorities allege the three were used by police officers to torture Ojwang’, leading to his death.
