Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Eliud Lagat has clarified through court documents that he did not step aside from his position, but instead took an approved annual leave.
This comes as questions continue to rise over his absence during the ongoing investigation into the killing of Albert Ojwang, a case that has drawn public attention.
According to the documents submitted in court, DIG Lagat was on an 18-day leave starting from June 17, a break that was officially approved by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
The paperwork clearly shows that his leave was routine and part of his annual entitlement, not connected to the murder investigation, as some reports had earlier suggested.
“There was no directive for him to step aside,” a source close to the matter said. “He applied for his annual leave like any other officer, and it was granted.”
The case surrounding Albert Ojwang’s murder has sparked concern across the country, with many calling for transparency and accountability within the police service.
Some observers had assumed that Lagat’s absence from duty during the critical moments of the probe meant he had stepped aside due to possible links or pressure related to the investigation.
However, the newly filed court records aim to set the record straight. The documents indicate that Lagat’s leave was planned and not connected in any way to the investigation.
This clarification is expected to calm speculation that had painted his absence as suspicious or strategic.
DIG Lagat has not publicly commented on the matter, but the statement through the court documents is seen as an effort to clear his name and maintain his reputation within the National Police Service.
By Newshub