Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat is facing growing public pressure after being linked to the death of popular social media personality and teacher Albert Ojwang.
The controversy deepens as the country also grapples with insecurity in Elgeyo Marakwet following the killing of Fr Allois Bett.
Ojwang, a vocal government critic and online influencer, was arrested in Homa Bay County and later transported to Nairobi.
He died in custody. A postmortem report released Tuesday confirmed that he suffered neck compression and injuries to soft tissues findings that suggest possible torture.
This has led to widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Lagat’s name has been mentioned in connection with Ojwang’s mysterious death, and many are now questioning whether he can fairly oversee ongoing investigations into other violent incidents.
Just days before Ojwang’s autopsy report was made public, Lagat had spoken during the funeral of Fr Bett in Tot.
The priest was killed by armed bandits on May 22. Four days later, two local men Simon Yego and Collins Kipyatich were abducted.
Their mutilated bodies were found in Mogotio, raising further fears of lawlessness in the region.
While Lagat urged residents to cooperate with security agencies, critics say his integrity is compromised.
Families of the deceased want an independent probe, arguing that justice cannot be delivered by someone under such serious allegations.
As public confidence continues to erode, both the government and the police service are under pressure to ensure transparent investigations and provide safety for all.
The death of Ojwang has now become a national concern one that adds weight to long-standing questions around accountability and the use of force by police.
By Nairobi