Senior police leaders have paid tribute to the late Lazarus Simiyu Opicho, remembering him not only for his service to the country but also for his humility, warmth and commitment to colleagues and family.
Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat delivered messages of condolence on Friday during Opicho’s burial in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, on behalf of Inspector General Douglas Kanja and the Kenya Police Service.
Opicho, who died on September 29, 2026, held the rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General and was Commandant of Security of Government Buildings and the VIP Protection Unit.
In his message, Kanja described the death as a profound shock to the National Police Service, saying the loss of a senior officer who had dedicated his life to public service was deeply painful.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Kanja said Opicho would be remembered as a trusted colleague, friend and leader whose presence meant a great deal to those who worked with him.
The Inspector General also paid tribute to the late officer’s humility, warmth and devotion to his family, noting that his life had touched many people.
Lagat, who said he had personally known Opicho, described him as disciplined, hardworking and dependable, with an amiable character that distinguished him among colleagues.
He said Opicho had served the country with courage and commitment, treating policing as more than a professional obligation.
“You served amongst us, not just as a duty, but a calling; guiding and mentoring young officers,” Lagat said in his tribute.
He added that Opicho’s commitment to protecting the country and his ability to build strong relationships across the public service had left a lasting impression.
The tributes reflected the late officer’s place within the wider National Police Service family, where his professional contribution was accompanied by relationships built over years of service.
Kanja extended his condolences to Opicho’s wife, Irene, their children Ian, Ivy, Lyn and Mark, and the entire family, as well as friends and colleagues mourning his death.
Lagat also conveyed condolences to the family and the Administration Police Service, saying the loss was felt across the police fraternity.
In offering comfort to the bereaved, Lagat cited Psalm 34:18, which speaks of God being close to the broken-hearted.
Both police leaders urged the family and those mourning Opicho to draw strength from the memories of his life and service.
As colleagues gathered in Kitale to bid him farewell, their messages centred on a career of commitment, the relationships he nurtured and the example he left to younger officers.
