Man who was to be priest, at centre of murder investigation

Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat duringa a peace meeting at Kiango in the border of Kisii and Narok Counties. The meeting brought together residents and leaders from both counties. [Sammy Omingo/Standard] The General Service Unit in December 2023 published a story of a man who aspired to become a Catholic Priest but ended up a bomb expert and commandant of Kenya's Elite Paramilitary Police Unit. In the over five-page publication, the story of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat was published. In the story is a quote of what was described as Lagat's special prayer before undertaking the most dangerous job of defusing bombs. "Lord, if fate is against me and I'm killed, may your will be fulfilled, but may it be quick and painless. If I'm wounded, don't let me be crippled. But above all, don't let me fail in the task," read his favourite prayer as quoted. The soft-spoken Lagat, who hails from Kipkaren Selia of Nandi County, joined the police in 1998, rising through the ranks, and was once isolated at DCI headquarters at the height of feuds between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. He was deemed to be close to Ruto's ally, and as a result, sidelined after being removed from the job of Bomb and Hazardous Material Unit. When Ruto eventually won the election, he immediately appointed him Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations before moving him to GSU as the Commandant. Lagat's star looked bright as he made quick moves upwards. When the position of DIG in charge of Kenya Police Service became vacant following the elevation of Kanja, Lagat applied and was appointed DIG. Again, pundits claimed that it was because of his closeness with President Ruto. Upon taking office as DIG, Lagat sought to be known as an officer focused on promoting the general welfare of police officers and service delivery to the public. For almost a year, he strived to make police stations centres of excellence through infrastructure upgrade and availing of basic amenities like electricity and water. Lagat made several impromptu visits to police stations within Nairobi, Central, Eastern, North Eastern, Coast, Rift Valley, Western and Nyanza regions, where the message has been the same - making the facilities clean, safe and conducive for the officers, visitors and prisoners. However, the death of Albert Ojwang on June 9 at one of the country's well-known police stations put a damper on Lagat's efforts. Following, the Kenyans were livid, throwing barbs on social media after Lagat accompanied IG Kanja, and the chairperson of IPOA, Izhak Hassan, among other top security officers, at a press address outside Central Police Station. By that time, news had it that it was a complaint by Lagat that caused the arrest and subsequent death of Ojwang- the IG made a mention of the matter at the press.r During the address, Lagat appeared unshaken even as several officers at the Central Police Station who were on duty were interdicted. Members of the public and various human rights bodies questioned why the DIG was still in the office and demanded that he be arrested and questioned over the death of Ojwang. On June 16, Lagat bowed to pressure and stepped aside. "In the good and conscious thought of my role and responsibilities as the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service, and given the ongoing investigations on the unfortunate incident of the death of Mr. Albert Ojwang, I have today opted to step aside from the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service pending completion of investigations. The functions of the office will henceforth be performed by my deputy until completion of the investigations," stated Lagat in his statement. He also promised to provide any support during the investigations of the unfortunate incident. Lagat has since denied, through court documents, that he stepped aside and instead claims he took a leave amid Ojwang's murder probe. The man who was to be a priest could just keep Kenyans busy as he unveils more surprises from his high office.

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