A recent revelation has cast a shadow of doubt over the integrity of a high-profile public announcement, sparking renewed public concern and fueling the relentless pursuit of justice for slain blogger Albert Ojwang. It has now emerged that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat, contrary to his widely publicized statement on June 16, did not actually "step aside" from his duties. Instead, new court documents reveal, he merely proceeded on an 18-day annual leave.
Lagat's initial announcement, which stated he "opted to step aside pending completion of investigations," was a direct response to overwhelming public demand for his resignation. This pressure mounted intensely after he was directly implicated in the shocking murder of Albert Ojwang, a prominent blogger whose death in police custody ignited nationwide protests. Ojwang, tragically, was arrested from his Homa Bay home following an X (formerly Twitter) post in which he courageously accused Lagat of corruption and misuse of office. A subsequent post-mortem examination horrifyingly confirmed that Ojwang had been brutally beaten to death.
The newly surfaced court documents reveal that Lagat’s "stepping aside" was, in fact, an approved annual leave, sanctioned by Inspector General Douglas Kanja. This approval came at a critical juncture, precisely as countrywide protests swelled and investigations into Ojwang's death gained significant momentum. The timing and nature of this "leave" have naturally raised serious public concerns regarding the sincerity and transparency of the move.
