There is growing fear and anger after Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat returned to work while the death of blogger Albert Ojwang is still being investigated.
Lagat had stepped aside in June after Ojwang died in unclear circumstances. The blogger had written posts online saying Lagat was involved in corruption. Soon after those posts, Ojwang was found dead.
Before his death, Lagat was one of the people who had complained to the police that Ojwang was spreading false information about him. This made many people believe that Ojwang was in danger.
When Lagat stepped down, many Kenyans hoped there would be a full and fair investigation. But weeks later there is still no report from the police. Now that Lagat is back in office some people feel that the case may not be handled well.
Human rights groups are worried. They say it is wrong for a top police officer to go back to work when he is linked to a case that is still being looked into. They also say it may scare people from speaking the truth in future.
Photo-grid of the late blogger Albert Ojwang and Police DIG Eliud Lagat. Photo: Nairobi Leo Source: X
“This is not fair to the family of Albert. They need answers. It is also not fair to Kenyans who want to see justice being done,” said a member of a local rights group.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority had said they would investigate the matter. But until now there has been no update.
Albert’s family says they feel forgotten. They say they were told to wait for the truth but now they are losing hope.
“We want justice. We want to know what really happened to our son,” said a family member.
As Lagat goes back to his office many are asking if some people in Kenya are too powerful to be questioned. Others are still waiting for justice for Albert Ojwang.
