Blow For Kenyans Demanding DIG Eliud Lagat's Resignation
The application, which had asked the court to issue orders stopping Lagat from accessing his office or using any National Police Service facilities, was dropped
Marvin Chege 
A petition aiming to block Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat from carrying out his duties has been withdrawn, with the petitioner saying the circumstances around the ongoing investigation into blogger Albert Ojwang’s death had changed.
The application, which had asked the court to issue orders stopping Lagat from accessing his office or using any National Police Service facilities, was dropped on Tuesday, July 1, after the court heard that new events had made it unnecessary.
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, representing the petitioner, told the court they would be seeking permission to revise the main petition based on these recent developments.
An image of a courtroom in Kenya. /FILE
“The application is withdrawn as prayed. We will mention the matter on the 10th for directions on the main petition," Justice Diana Kavedza, who allowed the withdrawal, noted.
Lagat voluntarily stepped down on June 16 after public pressure and demands for accountability over Ojwang’s death in police custody.
He said he made the decision “in good and conscious thought” to protect the integrity of his office and to allow IPOA to carry out independent investigations.
Ojwang’s death has sparked massive outrage from opposition politicians, civil society, and the public, with many blaming rogue cops for what happened.
Ojwang was arrested for allegedly sharing defamatory posts about DIG Lagat on social media. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said Lagat had officially reported the blogger, prompting the arrest.
However, while in custody, Ojwang was discovered with serious injuries and was declared dead soon after.
So far, six people have been charged in connection with the blogger’s death, including Central Police Station OCS Samson Talam and Constable James Mukwana.
The case has continued to grab national attention. Meanwhile, Ojwang’s family held his requiem mass on Wednesday, July 2, ahead of his planned burial on Friday, July 4.
During the service, there were strong demands for justice, with both his parents calling for accountability, with the victim’s father, Michael Ojwang, warning: “You will not have peace for spilling my son’s blood.”
The court is set to reconvene on July 10, 2025, to give further directions on the amended petition.
An image of slain X influencer Albert Ojwang. /ALBERT OJWANG
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