Kenya’s Deputy Police Chief Steps Aside Amid Uproar Over Blogger’s Death

Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat in Kenya steps aside amid investigations into blogger Albert Ojwang’s death. The 31-year-old blogger was arrested after being accused of defamation, and police initially claimed he died from self-inflicted injuries. This was contradicted by an autopsy. Lagat expressed condolences but will not access his office as protests for justice intensify.

In a significant development in Kenya, Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat has decided to step aside as investigations unfold regarding the controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang. Lagat’s decision comes amid mounting pressure from opposition figures and human rights advocates, following Ojwang’s arrest after he was accused of defaming Lagat on social media. This incident has sparked widespread calls for accountability and further transparency in police operations.

Initially, police reported that Ojwang had died from self-inflicted injuries. However, this narrative was swiftly challenged after an autopsy revealed that he likely suffered assault wounds. In light of these findings, Lagat stated his choice to step aside was made in a “good and conscious thought” about his responsibilities. He emphasized his willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation.

In his public statement, Lagat expressed heartfelt condolences to Ojwang’s family, calling the circumstances surrounding the blogger’s death deeply unfortunate. With this development, he will not access his office until the investigations conclude, and his deputy will take over his responsibilities.

As this situation escalates, activists are planning further demonstrations, demanding an impartial investigation into the events leading to Ojwang’s death. The blogger was arrested on June 7 in his hometown, Kakoth, near Homa Bay, before being transferred to a police station in Nairobi, where he reportedly died days later.

Reportedly, the police stated that Ojwang was discovered unconscious in his cell and subsequently transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to head trauma allegedly from banging his head against the wall. However, the autopsy and the police oversight authority, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), determined that suicide was unlikely, further complicating the narrative presented by the police.

In a move to address growing outrage, the police chief, Douglas Kanja, has publicly apologized for the misleading information regarding Ojwang’s cause of death, attributing it to misinformation from subordinates. Two additional officers, including the head of the police station where Ojwang was held, have also been detained for supposedly disabling the station’s CCTV system, further casting doubt on the circumstances of his death.

The situation surrounding the death of blogger Albert Ojwang has raised serious concerns about police accountability in Kenya. Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat’s decision to step aside while investigations are ongoing reflects the mounting pressure for transparency and justice. The retraction of initial police statements regarding Ojwang’s cause of death has fueled public outcry and demands for a thorough investigation to prevent further incidents of this nature in the future.

Original Source: ca.news.yahoo.com