What Is IPOA Saying About the Investigation?
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has refuted claims that Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has been exonerated in the ongoing investigation into the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang. In a statement released Sunday, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan confirmed that the probe remains active and that no final decision has been made regarding Lagat’s involvement.
“Preliminary investigations identified some suspects who have since been arraigned in court,” Hassan said. “The Authority’s investigation is still active and therefore the reports that the Authority has exonerated Mr. Lagat are misleading. If the investigations find him culpable, IPOA will make appropriate recommendations to hold him to account.”
Ojwang died on June 8 while in police custody, sparking a wave of protests and national outrage. Civil society groups and opposition leaders have called for justice and accountability in what many see as a case of excessive police brutality.
Has Lagat Stepped Down During the Investigation?
Amid increasing public scrutiny, Deputy IG Eliud Lagat voluntarily stepped aside from his position on June 16 to allow IPOA to conduct an impartial investigation. His decision followed a court application that sought to bar him from accessing his office. The application was later withdrawn after the petitioner’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, told the court that the case had been overtaken by events.
Justice Diana Kavedza allowed the withdrawal and set the next court mention of the main petition for July 10.
As investigations continue, six police officers have already been charged in connection with Ojwang’s death. Among them are Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Talam and Constable James Mukwana. Their arrest marks a rare step toward accountability in cases involving police custody deaths in Kenya.
Ojwang’s death has ignited fresh debates about police reform and the pace of justice in the country, especially at a time when public confidence in law enforcement remains fragile. IPOA’s assurance that investigations are still ongoing signals the potential for further legal action depending on the findings.
By Lucky Anyanje
