Activist Moves to Court to Block Lagat’s PA from Assuming DIG Duties
An activist has moved to the Milimani Constitutional and Human Rights Division court seeking to block Patrick Tito, the personal assistant (PA) to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat, from assuming duties of the DIG in his absence.
Eliud Karanja Matindi, a civil rights activist, filed a petition challenging the legality of a letter issued by DIG Lagat on June 16, 2025, which purportedly authorized his PA to take over the office’s functions following his decision to step aside.
DIG Lagat temporarily vacated office pending investigations into the controversial death of blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang, who died under unclear circumstances while in custody at the Nairobi Central Police Station. Reports indicate that Lagat had filed a complaint against Ojwang over defamatory content published on social media, which led to his arrest and subsequent death.
In his sworn affidavit, Matindi argued that the move to appoint Tito as acting DIG was unconstitutional and a breach of Article 245(3) of the Constitution, which specifies that there shall only be one DIG for the Kenya Police Service at any given time. He further cited Article 246(3)(a), stating that only the National Police Service Commission has the authority to appoint or designate officers to such high-level roles.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this application, an order be issued prohibiting the second interested party, Patrick Tito, from carrying out any functions of the Deputy Inspector General Kenya Police Service (NPS), as set out in Section 23 of the National Police Service Act,” the petition reads.
Matindi emphasized that allowing a PA to discharge the constitutional functions of a DIG sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the independence and structure of the police service.
The court is yet to issue a ruling on the matter. Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on the police leadership, with human rights organizations and civil society groups demanding justice and accountability for the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang.
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Activist Moves to Court to Block Lagat’s PA from Assuming DIG Duties