Not cleared: IPOA clarifies status of DIG Eliud Lagat in Albert Ojwang murder case
The High Court has given the DIG until July 18 to respond to the application seeking his removal from office and subsequent prosecution for the murder of Ojwang.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has clarified that investigations into the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang are still ongoing.
In a statement, IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan dismissed media reports that DIG Eliud Lagat has been cleared, saying the authority will hold him to account should he be found culpable.
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"IPOA's investigation is still active, and therefore the reports that the Authority has exonerated Mr. Lagat are misleading," said Issack. "If the investigations find him culpable, IPOA will make appropriate recommendations to hold him to account."
Lagat stepped aside on June 16 following public outcry over the death of Ojwang in police custody at Nairobi Central Police Station. Preliminary investigations have identified suspects who have since been arraigned in court.
Lagat has, meanwhile, been sued by a section of activists who want him barred from resuming work.
The High Court has given the DIG until July 18 to respond to the application seeking his removal from office and subsequent prosecution for the murder of Ojwang.
They are required to file their respective responses to the application and petition and serve the same to the court by July 18.
The activists are seeking a temporary suspension of the trial of three police officers and their three civilian accomplices charged with the murder of Ojwang.
In an application filed by a section of activists led by lawyer Lempaa Suyinka and Prof Fredrick Ongola, the activists want the high court to suspend the trial until Lagat is included in the charge sheet as the main murder suspect.
"The respondents (Langat, IPOA, DPP, Ruto, Kanja, Amin and others) and interested parties shall enter their appearance and file and serve their responses to both the application and petition by close of business July 18, 2025," ordered the judge.
Rejoinders and rebuttals to the responses by the respondents in written submissions shall be filed and served by close of business on August 8, 2025.
Parties who have filed and served their written submissions, as per the above timelines, shall be permitted to highlight their written submissions.
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