The High Court has issued a directive regarding Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat’s return to office, following his temporary stepping aside to allow investigations into the death of blogger Albert Ojwang.
In a ruling dated Monday, July 14, 2025, Justice Chacha Mwita declined to issue orders barring DIG Lagat from resuming his duties.
Instead, the court granted Lagat until July 23, 2025, to respond to a suit filed by activist Eliud Matindi.
Court Declines to Block Lagat from Assuming His Duties
Lagat has been out of office for 18 days since the probe into the murder of blogger Albert Ojwang began.
So far, the Deputy Inspector General has been cleared of all charges related to the murder of the slain blogger.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) found no direct link between Lagat and the fatal assault that led to Ojwang’s death in police custody in June 2025.
Also Read: Constable Mukhwana Exposes DIG Lagat’s Role in Albert Ojwang’s Death
Kanja stated that Lagat was expected to resume his duties on July 14, 2025, as he had been cleared by all investigations.
“I hope to see him back at the office today because he has been cleared by all the investigations,”Kanja stated.
The resumption of Lagat to office has received widespread condemnation from Kenyans with majority of them calling opposing his return at the DIG helm.
Kenyans React to DIG’s Return to Office
Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president said “Eliud Lagat should not be allowed to resume duty as DIG.”
A social media user by the name James Chege said “Eliud Lagat must not be allowed back to office. We cannot tolerate impunity in this country!”
Another user by the name Simuli said “Deputy IG Eliud Lagat cleared in Albert Ojwang’s murder probe—just like that? In Kenya, justice isn’t blind; it’s bought, delayed, or buried. When cops investigate cops, the outcome is scripted. The system protects its own, not the victims.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the past expressed strong suspicions of foul play in the investigations into the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station on June 8, 2025.
Also Read: Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat Steps Aside
Gachagua has repeatedly pointed to Deputy Inspector General as the orchestrator of Ojwang’s arrest, alleging that Lagat’s complaint about a defamatory social media post led to the blogger’s detention and subsequent death.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has so far approved murder charges against six individuals in connection to death of Albert Ojwang, including:
- Three police officers: Samson Kiprotich Talaam, James Mukhwana, and Peter Kimani.
- Three civilians: John Ngige Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue.
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