‘Personal attacks and character assassination!’ Police service dispels media claims on DIG Lagat
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat during a past function. PHOTO | COURTESY | NPS
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The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed reports alleging financial impropriety involving Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat in the recently concluded Africa Championship (CHAN), terming the claims as “sensationalist, distorted, and bordering on misinformation.”
In a statement released on Saturday, NPS described the reports as a deliberate attempt to malign the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and the Service, calling them “personal attacks and character assassination.”
“The NPS wishes to remind the public that the alleged ‘facts’ reported are distortions that border on misinformation, constituting personal attacks and character assassination against the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service (DIG-KPS),” read the statement.
Although the service did not address the issue of misappropriation, it noted the number of officers deployed to provide security during the recently concluded CHAN games at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums was initially 2,986 but was later increased to 8,546 due to “serious emerging security issues.”
The Service further faulted the publication for ignoring key logistical factors, including fuel, catering, and allowances for officers deployed from outside Nairobi.
“To clarify, the number of officers initially deployed to
provide security for the recently concluded CHAN games at Kasarani and Nyayo
Stadiums was 2,986. However, due to serious emerging security issues, this
number was nearly tripled to approximately 8,546 police officers,” NPS stated.
“The purported exposé also fails to mention essential logistical considerations such as vehicle fuel, catering for the officers, and the Daily Subsistence Allowance for those deployed from outside the Nairobi Region. These facts would have been crucial for the newspaper to consider before publishing."
The NPS cautioned that such reporting amounts to negligence
and warned that the publication could face civil or legal action.
“Such negligence leaves the publication open to potential
civil remedial action and other appropriate legal steps,” the statement warned.
While insisting that the Service remains open to public
scrutiny, the NPS reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability
in all its operations.
“As a Service, we remain open to public scrutiny and shall at all times strive to be responsive, transparent, and accountable,” the statement stated.
The publication on Saturday had claimed that, "DIG now finds himself engulfed in yet another storm — accused of presiding over the disappearance of millions meant for officers who secured the CHAN tournament."
"With the ghost of Albert Ojwang's murder case still looming, Lagat faces a fresh revolt from within his own ranks, as junior and senior officers alike question why their allowances vanished into thin air while official records show Ksh.11 million had been set aside for them."
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