Deputy Police Chief Steps Aside Amid Outcry Over Blogger’s Death

Kenya’s Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat has stepped aside due to the uproar over blogger Albert Ojwang’s death in custody. After initially claiming suicide, police faced backlash following autopsy results suggesting assault. Lagat denies wrongdoing but expresses support for ongoing investigations as public protests demand transparency.

In Kenya, the deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat, has decided to step aside amid growing outrage over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody. This move comes following intense calls for his resignation from both opposition groups and human rights advocates after Ojwang’s tragic situation, which arose after he reportedly accused Mr. Lagat of defamation on social media.

Initially, police claimed that Ojwang had died of self-inflicted injuries, but these assertions quickly crumbled. An autopsy revealed that he likely died from wounds suggesting he had been assaulted. While Deputy Chief Lagat maintains his innocence, he justified his decision to step aside, expressing a sense of responsibility in light of the circumstances. “I undertake to provide any support that may be required of me during the investigations of the unfortunate incident,” he remarked in a statement.

Furthermore, he extended condolences to Mr. Ojwang’s family. Until the investigation is wrapped up, Mr. Lagat will not return to his office. His deputy will take over his responsibilities. In the meantime, demonstrations spearheaded by activists continue, seeking an open and thorough probe into the death of 31-year-old Ojwang.

The blogger was apprehended in his hometown of Kakoth, close to Homa Bay, on June 7. He was taken to a prominent police station in Nairobi, where he ultimately died a few days after his arrest. Initially, law enforcement reported that Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell and later died from what they claimed were self-inflicted injuries resulting from banging his head against a wall.

However, substantial evidence has emerged, including a report conducted by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, which dismissed the possibility of suicide. As of now, the head of the police station where Ojwang died has been placed in custody, alongside another officer and a technician believed to have tampered with the station’s CCTV.

Police chief Douglas Kanja has publicly acknowledged the misinformation that led to the initial false claims about the cause of Ojwang’s death, attributing it to his subordinates. His apology marks a significant shift in the narrative surrounding the investigations.

The recent resignation of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat amid the outcry following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang marks a critical moment in Kenya’s ongoing struggle for transparency in law enforcement. With new investigations underway and increased public demonstrations, the call for accountability in this tragic case grows louder, reflecting broader issues of police conduct and human rights in the country.

Original Source: ca.news.yahoo.com