In-depth investigations into the death of blogger Albert Ojwang should be conducted, but Deputy Inspector General of police Eliud Lagat should not be victimised, Governors Stephen Sang of Nandi and Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) have said.
Sang and Bii have asked Ipoa to focus on the probe to find Ojwang’s killers instead of being swayed by public lynching and the mistreatment of Lagat over claims that he was involved in the matter.
The Nandi governor said those pushing for Lagat’s resignation before an independent probe is carried out are not interested in the truth about Ojwang’s death.
"We must all wait for independent investigations and those who killed Ojwang’ must be brought to book but equally those making wild and false allegations must also be prosecuted," Sang said.
He cited the recent case of an alleged self-abduction by an MP, saying this pointed to possible external forces using unfortunate incidents to sabotage the government.
He alleged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was among those taking advantage of situations to gain political mileage.
"We saw him making wild allegations on the self-abduction by an MP and that is equally not right because he was misleading the public with false information."
Sang cautioned against the victimisation of some senior civil servants based on their tribes.
He spoke at Kapseret in Uasin Gishu county, where he was hosted by Bii during the distribution of coffee seedlings to farmers in efforts to encourage diversification.
He also told off former CS Fred Matiang'i, accusing him of presiding over murders and abductions during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
"People like Matiang'i have no moral authority to lecture us on leadership because we are here fixing the problems they created and entrenched in this country," he said.
Matiang'i has stated his interest in vying for the presidency.
Bii thanked President William Ruto for taking the initiative to console Ojwang’s family and supporting them as they mourn the death of their kin.
"It’s not good for anyone to kill our youth that way and we support calls for justice for Ojwang," said Bii.
He condemned the killing of the blogger and other youth, noting that young people should be allowed to exploit their talents in various ways.
Bii said it was wrong to point fingers before proper investigations are completed.
"Let the investigations be done then those who will be found to have been involved should be made to face the law. Let’s avoid finger-pointing and public lynching before investigations are completed," said Bii.
