Here’s a well-rounded biography of Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, currently serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in Kenya:
Early Life & Education
- Born: Around 1972 in Kaptel/Kapsabet, Kenya.
- Education: Attended Mother of Apostles Seminary before switching to mechanics training. Earned a Bachelor’s in Industrial Technology from University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, and later a Master’s in Armed Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Nairobi
- Initially aspired to become a Catholic priest but pivoted to join the police service as a mechanic after seminary
- Police Career Journey
- Entry into Police Service: Joined Kenya Police College in Kiganjo, deployed to General Service Unit (GSU) workshop, working as a mechanic
- Rise through Ranks: Advanced to roles within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), including head of Bomb & Hazardous Materials Unit, Deputy Head of Crime Scene Support, and Director of Investigations Bureau
- General Service Unit (GSU): Later became Commandant of GSU, Kenya’s elite paramilitary police unit
Appointment as Deputy Inspector General
- Promotion: In July 2024, appointed DIG, the second-highest position in the Kenya Police Service .
- Leadership Impact: Known for surprise inspections of police stations and insistence on cleanliness and better detainee treatment
- Security Strategy: Oversee county policing, community relations, and initiatives targeting banditry in Rift Valley and other security hotspots
Honors & Recognition
- Awarded multiple national honors:
- Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS)
- Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW)
- Head of State Commendation (HSC)
- Silver Star (SS)
- Graduate of Kenya’s National Defence College (ndc)
Personal Traits & Vision
- Background: Began career as a vehicle mechanic, reflecting humility and hands-on leadership
- Management Philosophy: Emphasizes small, tangible improvements—cleaner stations, better cell conditions, public service orientation .
- Security Goals: Committed to enhancing community policing, minimizing brutality, and tackling organized crime .
Summary
Eliud Kipkoech Lagat – once a seminary student turned mechanic – has risen to become DIG in Kenya’s National Police. With over 25 years of service, battlefield experience in bomb disposal and investigations, a string of national honors, and effective leadership through surprise station visits and reforms, he is playing a pivotal role in steering Kenya’s policing into a more accountable, citizen-centered direction.?