Kenya Deputy Police Chief Eliud Kipkoech Lagat has voluntarily resigned from his post as investigations into the death of 31-year-old political blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody, continue.
Ojwang was arrested after making social media posts accusing Lagat of corruption. His death sparked widespread public outrage and intensified calls for accountability at the highest levels of the police force.
In a statement released on Monday, Lagat said he was stepping down in light of the ongoing investigation and out of respect for his position. He also pledged to cooperate fully with authorities and offered his condolences to Ojwang’s family.
“I am committed to providing any assistance that may be required of me during the investigations into the unfortunate incident,” Lagat said.
The case has brought renewed scrutiny to the Kenyan police force, particularly in light of allegations of brutality and misconduct. Last week, Constable James Mukhwana, a police officer based at Nairobi Central Police Station, was arraigned by the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) in connection with Ojwang’s death.
Although police initially claimed Ojwang died after repeatedly hitting his head against a cell wall, government pathologist Bernard Midia, who was part of a five-person forensic team, cast doubt on that version, saying the injuries were unlikely to have been self-inflicted.
In a further move to ensure transparency, police spokesman Michael Muchiri confirmed that five more officers had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.