Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat’s attempt to dodge accountability over the killing of blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang is raising serious concerns.
Lagat argued that only the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has the power to charge him, as if that should shield him from any scrutiny.
This defense sounds more like a desperate move to avoid justice than a legitimate legal argument.
Through his lawyer Cecil Miller, Lagat warned that forcing the DPP to prosecute him would undermine constitutional independence. Yet this sounds like an excuse to escape responsibility while the public demands answers.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which investigated the case, found no evidence linking Lagat to the killing, but many question how thorough this investigation was, given his high rank.
Lagat insists he had no role in Ojwang’s death and denies giving any unlawful orders. He claims that blaming him just because he is Deputy Inspector General is unfair.
Many feel that senior police officers use their positions to evade justice, and Lagat’s silence until now only feeds suspicions.
The petition filed by 20 individuals demanding that the DPP charge Lagat highlights public frustration with perceived police immunity.
These petitioners see the refusal to prosecute as a sign that top police officers believe they are untouchable.
Lagat’s accusations that his critics are smearing his name appear to be attempts to distract from the real issue, accountability.
The High Court has given the DPP until August 29, 2025, to respond to the petition. If the court forces the DPP to prosecute Lagat, it could set a precedent limiting prosecutorial discretion.
But letting powerful officials escape charges risks deepening mistrust in the justice system.
Ojwang’s killing shocked many Kenyans who want justice for a voice they feel was silenced. Yet Lagat’s defense focuses more on legal technicalities than on answering serious questions.
No one should be above the law, and those in top police positions must face thorough investigations without hiding behind their titles.
This case is a test for Kenya’s justice system. It challenges whether senior officers will be held accountable or protected by the very institutions meant to enforce the law.
For Lagat, this is a fight to save his career and reputation. For the public, it is about demanding justice and ending the culture of impunity that has long plagued Kenya’s police service.
