In a significant development unfolding just hours ago, Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, has announced his Stepping aside. This pivotal move comes amidst relentless protests by Gen Z and a growing national outcry demanding accountability for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. The stepping aside is particularly potent as Lagat was the very officer who filed the complaint that led to Ojwang's arrest from his hometown in Homa Bay.
The pressure on the Police Service has escalated dramatically following the continuous revelations surrounding Ojwang's death, including contradictory police statements and damning CCTV footage from Mbagathi Hospital confirming he was dead on arrival. Adding to this, politicians like former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had explicitly called for Lagat's arrest and prosecution, alleging his involvement in a "killer squad."
Eliud Lagat's statement of resignation, which reached desks today, reads:
"In the good and conscious thought of my role and responsibilities as The Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service, and in view of the ongoing investigations on the unfortunate incident of the death of Mr. Albert Ojwang, I have today opted to step aside from the office of the Deputy Inspector General - Kenya Police Service pending completion of investigations. The functions of the office will henceforth be performed by my deputy until completion of the investigations. I undertake to provide any support that may be required of me during the investigations of the unfortunate incident: I offer immense condolences to the family of Mr. Albert Ojwang for their great loss."
While stepping aside, especially from such a high-ranking position, might appear to be a step towards accountability, for many Kenyans, it falls far short of justice. The public sentiment, fueled by weeks of protests and a deep-seated frustration with police impunity, is clear: stepping aside is simply not enough.
Kenyans are calling for more than just a stepping aside; they demand that Eliud Lagat, given his direct connection to the case as the complainant against Ojwang and his senior position, be charged in a court of law. This demand reflects a broader yearning for a complete overhaul of a system where deaths in custody have become alarmingly frequent, as highlighted by IPOA's revelation of over 20 such fatalities in the past four months alone.
Lagat's stepping aside hands over the functions of his office to his deputy, and he has pledged to cooperate with investigations. However, the true test of this moment will be whether his resignation paves the way for genuine legal proceedings and a transparent pursuit of truth, or if it merely serves as a strategic maneuver to quell public anger without delivering substantive justice.
The ball is now firmly in the court of investigative bodies and the judiciary. For Gen Z and a nation weary of promises, anything less than full accountability, including potential prosecution, will be seen as yet another betrayal in the ongoing struggle for justice for Albert Ojwang and countless others who have mysteriously died under the supposed protection of the state.
