Eliud Lagat Resigns as Deputy Inspector General Following Public Outcry Over Albert Ojwang’s Death

Minneapolis, Minnesota, By Samuel Moranga | June 2025

In a stunning development that has rocked Kenya’s security apparatus, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Eliud Lagat, has tendered his resignation following the controversial death of 26-year-old Albert Ojwang while in police custody. The announcement came amid mounting pressure from human rights organizations, civil society groups, and a growing number of political leaders, all demanding accountability and transparency in the case that has gripped national attention.

The Death That Sparked a Movement

Albert Ojwang, a recent university graduate from Homa Bay County, was reportedly arrested on June 9th at his family’s home under unclear circumstances. According to eyewitnesses and relatives, plainclothes officers picked up Ojwang in the early hours of the morning without a warrant. He was allegedly accused of being linked to an undisclosed cybercrime operation.

Days later, his body was discovered at the Nairobi Central Police Station morgue, bearing visible signs of torture. Leaked photos and a leaked internal autopsy report revealed bruises, deep cuts, and fractures—evidence that suggested severe physical abuse. A whistleblower within the force later disclosed that Ojwang had been secretly transferred to Karura Forest, a location that has historically been linked to extrajudicial torture, before being returned to custody in critical condition.

The tragedy sparked widespread protests across major cities, with demonstrators chanting “Justice for Albert!” and calling for the resignation of top police officials.

Eliud Lagat Under Pressure

Eliud Lagat, who served as the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Kenya Police Service, quickly became the central figure in the storm. Known for his “zero-tolerance” stance on crime and past defense of heavy-handed policing tactics, Lagat initially dismissed the outcry, claiming that “disciplinary procedures would be followed internally.”

However, public trust eroded further when it was revealed that Lagat had authorized an elite covert unit—the same team suspected of abducting Ojwang. Media outlets and activists unearthed previous allegations of abuse tied to this unit, many of which were never prosecuted under Lagat’s watch.

Political pressure soon mounted. Several MPs, led by Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Atieno, called for a parliamentary inquiry into police brutality. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched a parallel investigation and confirmed that Ojwang’s death was “highly suspicious and indicative of systemic torture.”

The Resignation

On June 16th, 2025, in a hastily convened press conference at Vigilance House, Eliud Lagat stood before journalists flanked by top ministry officials and read a short statement:

“In light of recent events, and in the interest of preserving the dignity and integrity of the police service, I hereby submit my resignation as Deputy Inspector General of Police. I extend my condolences to the family of Albert Ojwang. No Kenyan should die in custody. I trust that ongoing investigations will uncover the full truth.”

The statement, though brief, marked a historic moment. It is the first time in over a decade that a top police official in Kenya has stepped down amid allegations of extrajudicial killings.

Aftermath and National Reckoning

President William Ruto, who has remained largely silent during the early stages of the crisis, later issued a statement accepting Lagat’s resignation and promising full cooperation with IPOA and international human rights observers. He assured the public of a “complete overhaul” of elite policing units and pledged to appoint a civilian-led commission to investigate patterns of torture within the service.

Albert Ojwang’s family, speaking from Homa Bay, welcomed the resignation but insisted it was “only the beginning.”

“We don’t just want resignations. We want arrests, prosecutions, and real justice,” said Ojwang’s elder brother, Thomas.

Human rights watchdogs including Amnesty International Kenya, Kituo cha Sheria, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have vowed to monitor the case closely and push for deeper reform.

A Legacy in Question

Eliud Lagat’s decade-long career, once hailed as a model of modernization and discipline within the National Police Service, now faces serious scrutiny. While credited with reducing gang-related violence in urban areas, critics argue that his leadership normalized impunity and shielded rogue officers from accountability.

As the IPOA investigation progresses and the country mourns the loss of a young life full of promise, many see this moment as a critical inflection point in Kenya’s long struggle against police brutality.

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