Albert Ojwang murder case: IPOA says top bosses didn’t interrogate DIG Lagat

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has dismissed claims published in a local daily alleging that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, was interrogated by the State body’s top leadership, clarifying that he was instead received by the technical investigation team handling the probe into Albert Ojwang’s case.

In a statement released on Friday evening, IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan provided an Ojwang's murder while in police custody, an incident that has elicited public uproar with Kenyans voicing against police brutality.

IPOA explained that its Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer were not involved in the interrogation process, reiterating that Lagat was exclusively handled by the technical investigation team.

According to Hassan, this approach aligns with IPOA’s commitment to preserving the integrity of investigations and upholding the clear distinction between its policy-making and operational arms.

In total, Hassan revealed that Lagat became the 22nd police officer to give an account of what transpired on the fateful night leading to Ojwang's demise.

"IPOA would like to clarify that contrary to the allegation carried on page 4 of today’s Standard newspaper, Eliud Lagat was not interrogated by the IPOA Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer. He was received by the technical investigation team handling the matter," the statement read in part.

"This is consistent with the principle of safeguarding investigative integrity and maintaining a clear separation between policy formulation and operational functions within the Authority."

On the allegations regarding the misuse of Chief Inspector Talaam's phone to extort money from the public, IPOA confirmed that the mobile device is securely in the hands of its forensic experts.

"The Authority has also written to DCI to look into the allegations made which have yet to be substantiated. The DCI will file a report in court by the 1st of July 2025," Hassan noted.