Deputy Police IG Eliud Lagat Steps Aside
By Bernard Koech
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has stepped aside amid investigations into the circumstances that led to the death of blogger Albert Ojwang who died in police custody.
In a statement, Lagat said he is ready to cooperate with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority which is probing Ojwang’s death. “I undertake to provide any support that maybe required of me during the investigations of the unfortunate incident.”
Pressure has been mounting on Lagat to step aside to allow IPOA carry out effective and conclusive investigations into the mysterious death that has caused public outcry.
Ojwang was arrested on the 8th of June by DCI officers following a complaint by Lagat regarding a social media post. He was transported by road from Homabay to Nairobi where he was taken to Central Police station.
Moments before Lagat stepped aside, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen had said the police boss “understands what it takes to carry out investigations and whether or not his conduct can affect those investigations.”
Addressing a press conference on the steps of Harambee House in Nairobi, Murkomen called on Kenyans to be patient as IPOA conducts its investigations.
Meanwhile, suspended Nairobi Central police station’s OCS Samson Tallam was presented in Milimani law courts over Ojwang’s death who died in the hands of police officers.
The court will on Wednesday this week make a ruling concerning IPOA’s request to detain him for 21 more days to allow detectives finalize investigations.
