Eliud Lagat is the current Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service. With over 25 years of experience, he is a seasoned career police officer.

Lagat made headlines in June over his alleged involvement in the death of Albert Ojwang’. He took administrative leave from work for 18 days amidst calls for his resignation. This, he said, was to pave the way for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the matter, dismissing widely circulated reports that he had stepped down from his position.

In his current role, Lagat is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administration and operations of the Kenya Police Service, including coordination, supervision, training, and internal oversight.

In 2024, Lagat rose to his current position, succeeding Douglas Kanja, who had been promoted to Inspector General. Prior to this, he served as the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU). He was also among the candidates shortlisted to replace former Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Head George Kinoti, who President William Ruto dismissed over allegations of widespread extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Kenyan citizens.

In 2022, he became the Director of the Investigations Bureau, a role he held until April 2023, when he was appointed the GSU Commandant. However, before this, he served as Deputy Director of the DCI Reform Section for two years. Between 2001 and 2005, Lagat worked as a forensic investigator at DCI headquarters.

Lagat began his career with the National Police Service in 1998, shortly after completing his training at the Kenya Police College in Kiganjo. Over the years, he served in several key roles, including deputy head of the Crime Scene Support Unit, head of the Investigation Bureau, and later, head of the Bomb and Hazardous Materials Unit. Just two years into his service, he was appointed Inspector of Police and assigned to the Bomb Disposal Unit under the then Criminal Investigations Department, now known as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The DIG holds a Master’s Degree in Armed Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Technology in Automotive from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.

Throughout his career, he has received several awards, including the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) and the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) of Kenya, Similarly, Head of State Commendation (HSC), the Silver Star (SS) of Kenya and the coveted “ndc” (K) from the National Defence College.