Eliud Lagat is now at the center of a serious case involving the murder of Albert Ojwang. The most telling link between Lagat and the killing is his communication with the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Central Police Station, Talaam. It is reported that Lagat was the one who ordered the arrest and torture of Albert, and that torture ended in his death. What looked like a routine police matter is now appearing to be something far darker, involving abuse of power and a cover-up at very high levels.
Activist Boniface Mwangi has raised alarm over the growing list of young Kenyans being silenced through extrajudicial means. He has highlighted how those in power are using the police to crush dissent, especially when their own interests are threatened. In this case, Lagat is not a small player.
He is said to be a key figure in William Ruto’s inner circle, and protecting him seems to be more important to the regime than seeking justice for Albert Ojwang. If the truth comes out, it could shake some of the foundations of how police and political powers are working hand in hand in Kenya.
One of the most disturbing parts of this case involves efforts by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to tamper with evidence.
According to sources, they came up with a plan to get the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to hand over Talaam’s phone to the DCI. This phone had been secured by IPOA as a key piece of evidence.
The goal of this move was not to investigate further but to erase any records that might directly implicate Lagat in the murder.
By pretending that the phone had been used to extort money while under IPOA’s care, the NIS hoped to convince the courts to allow its release, all while making it look like a corruption case.
This phone is not just a gadget. It holds direct proof that Lagat was involved in giving the orders that led to Albert’s death. If this evidence is destroyed or discredited, Lagat walks away clean, and the blame falls on lower-ranking officers who were only acting under command.
It’s clear that keeping Lagat safe is a top priority for Ruto’s administration. His influence is so deep that protecting him has become a matter of political survival. Some even say that Ruto would rather risk national chaos than see Lagat face justice.
At the same time, there’s growing concern over who might take over key police positions in the future.
Adamson Bungei, the former Nairobi Regional Police boss known for using force against Gen Z protesters, is now being considered for an even higher role. He currently serves as the Director of Operations at the police headquarters.
