Mohammed Ali demands DIG Lagat’s removal from office
Nyali Member of Parliament (MP) Mohammed Ali has come out strongly against the return of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Douglas Kanja Lagat to office.
Speaking on August 2, 2025, the former investigative journalist called for his immediate removal and prosecution over the death of Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody.
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“I have talked about a lot of things, including extrajudicial killings, which should end. I have talked about corruption; I have talked about DIG Lagat. I hear he has returned to the office; he should go home. We are not going to allow him,” he stated.
Further, he stated that the death of Ojwang, which occurred in a police station under suspicious circumstances, cannot be brushed aside or resolved quietly.
“A young man died in a police station; he should have gone home. We should not negotiate on whether he should return or not. He should go home, be prosecuted and taken to court, and if found guilty, he should go to jail,” he added.
Petition
This comes after the High Court declined to issue conservatory orders barring Lagat from returning to office, even as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) clarified that he remains under active investigation.
In a constitutional petition filed by UK-based activist Eliud Matindi, Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that there would be no interim orders preventing Lagat from carrying out his duties as Deputy Inspector General until the matter was fully heard and determined.
Instead, the court instructed Lagat, the Attorney General, and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to respond to the petition by July 23, after which further instructions would be issued.
Matindi had sought interim orders prohibiting Lagat from performing any functions under Section 23 of the National Police Service Act, claiming that his continued presence in office jeopardises ongoing investigations.
The activist also challenged Patrick Tito’s appointment as acting Deputy IG, alleging that Lagat improperly delegated authority via a letter dated June 16, 2025, which he claims violates the law.
In response to recent media reports claiming that Lagat has been cleared and is free to resume work, the IPOA issued a firm rebuttal.
In a statement, Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan emphasised that investigations into Ojwang’s death are still ongoing and that no official conclusion has been reached.
“IPOA’s investigation is still active, and therefore the reports that the Authority has exonerated Lagat are misleading,” the statement read.
IPOA further noted that if the findings establish culpability, “appropriate recommendations will be made to hold him to account.”
