The Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police, Eliud Lagat, appeared before the Independent Policing Oversight Authority on Thursday to record a statement regarding the death of blogger Albert Ojwang.

Ojwang died in police custody on June 7 at the Central police station in Nairobi.

The blogger’s death has triggered a national uproar amid mounting pressure for accountability at the highest level of Kenya’s police Service.

Lagat, accompanied by a lawyer, arrived at IPOA offices around midday for a session that lasted over three hours.

Details of his statement remain limited, but sources said he appeared composed throughout the questioning.

Officials managing the case stated that his statement will undergo further analysis before the next steps are decided.

Lagat had earlier written to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), complaining about what he termed as malicious posts on social media platform X, which he believed tarnished his reputation.

IPOA Chairperson Isaack Hassan on Wednesday confirmed that Lagat had been formally summoned.

Noting that at least 20 police officers, including the Deputy OCS of Nairobi Central police station, Inspector Samuel Ng’ang’a. Two officers — OCS Samson Talaam and Constable James Mukhwana had already given their statements and have already been arraigned and are being held for two weeks pending investigations.

Ng’ang’a was arrested on Tuesday and presented at Kahawa West Law Courts before being detained at Muthaiga Police Station

Additionally, civilian Kelvin Mutisya Mutava, who allegedly interfered with CCTV footage, and three others, Brian Mwaniki Njue, Collins Karani, and Gin Ammitou, who were inmates at the Central Police Station during the incident, were also presented in court.

They are being held for 14 days while investigations are conducted.

Hassan said IPOA wanted to hear Lagat’s side and had also made an application to mobile service providers for call data of persons of interest, including any possible communication between Lagat and the officers involved before or after Ojwang’s death.

Meanwhile, DVR footage seized from Central Police Station and biological samples sent to the Government Chemist are under analysis.

IPOA is working hand in hand with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) and is confident that the investigation file with recommendations will be ready by early next week..