Ex-OCS Talaam's SIM swapped while in custody as forensic report reveals coordinated fraud
The SIM card was subsequently inserted into another device, which was then used to make calls and transact on mobile money platforms, including online lending applications.
A forensic report produced before a Nairobi court has uncovered a coordinated fraud scheme involving the swapping of a SIM card belonging to former Nairobi Central Police Station OCS, Samson Kiprotich Taalam, while he was in police custody.
Inspector Moses Adeli on Tuesday revealed before Milimani principal magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi that forensic analysis showed that a new device (IMEI) and a different SIM identity (IMSI) were activated in the same location where the replacement occurred, confirming both a SIM swap and a device change.
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He said the fraudulent SIM swap was executed between June 16 and June 17, 2025, by a suspect identified as Ronoh Kiprotich Brian.
Further investigations between June 17 and 19, 2025, established that the SIM card was subsequently inserted into another device, which was then used to make calls and transact on mobile money platforms, including online lending applications.
Notably, the IMSI detected on June 16 remained consistent, indicating the SIM had been cloned and was now in unauthorised use.
Adeli further told the court that at least three different devices were used within the three-day window, a tactic believed to be aimed at evading detection.
"All this occurred while OCS Talaam was in lawful custody, making it clear that any communications or financial activity linked to his number during that time were the work of third parties," the officer added.
The cloned SIM card is also part of an ongoing probe by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) concerning the death of teacher Albert Ojwang'.
The suspect, Ronoh Kiprotich Brian, was arrested on July 20 in Embakasi's Pipeline estate.
During the arrest, police recovered three mobile phones, 29 used SIM cards, and 13 unused SIM cards, which are yet to undergo full forensic analysis.
Authorities believe Ronoh may have been working with accomplices who are still at large.
On Monday, the suspect was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, where the court has detained him for seven days pending investigations.
Following the presentation of the forensic report, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) applied for closure of the inquiry file to allow the DCI to formally present a case.
Magistrate Ekhubi directed that OCS Talaam record a statement as the complainant in the matter.
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