Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Kenya Police Service Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, has stepped aside. His resignation comes after pressure mounts on him to quit over his involvement in the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang. Lagat is the complainant in the case that led to the arrest of Albert Ojwang, who was later killed by police at the central police station.
Lagat is a seasoned career police officer with over 25 years of experience in the service.
He was the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU) before his current role.
Lagat holds a master’s degree in Armed Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Nairobi (UoN)having graduated in 2010.
Likewise, he earned a Bachelor of Technology in Automotive from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.
Similarly, Head of State Commendation (HSC), the Silver Star (SS) of Kenya and the coveted “ndc” (K) from the National Defence College.
Career
Lagat has served in various capacities such as Deputy Head of Crime News SÎne Support Unit.
In addition, he worked as head of the investigation bureau and later as Head of the Bomb and Hazardous Materials Unit before he was promoted to head the same unit in 2020.
As such, Eliud’s experience in the security sector highlights his ability to manage complex security challenges and implement reforms within the National Police Service.
Lagat’s career at the NPS began in 1998 when he joined the institution and trained at the Kenya Police College in Kiganjo.
In 2000, he was an Inspector of police attached to the Bomb Disposal and was based at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), now the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Training School and DCI Headquarters.
Between 2001 to 2005, he was a forensic investigator still attached to DCI Headquarters.
Afterwards, he was promoted to the Deputy Head Crime Scene Support Unit based at the DCI Headquarters, a position he held until 2007.
However, in 2020, he was named the Deputy Director- DCI Reforms Section and was promoted to head the same unit in 2023.
Whereas in October 2022 he was named the Director Investigations Bureau a position he held until April 2023 when he was named the Commandant.
