IPOA seeks 21-day detention of Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Talaam over Ojwang's death
The DPP further said that Talaam's mobile phone has already been detained and is currently undergoing forensic examination as part of the broader investigation.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has told a Nairobi court that Central Police Station OCS, Samson Talaam, interfered with crucial evidence related to an ongoing investigation into the death of a suspect in police custody.
In a miscellaneous application filed before court on Monday, DPP alleges that Talaam was the custodian of station records and CCTV systems and thus hired a technician to tamper with surveillance footage at the Central Police Station in an attempt to obstruct justice.
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The DPP further said that Talaam's mobile phone has already been detained and is currently undergoing forensic examination as part of the broader investigation.
"There are witnesses, particularly police officers who were on duty on the material day, who are yet to be interviewed and have their statements recorded. Given the respondent's position as OCS, there is a high likelihood that he will interfere with these potential witnesses," the prosecution told the court.
They want the OCS detained for 21 days to allow the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to complete investigations without any interference.
According to court documents, IPOA is requesting that Talaam be held at Lang'ata Police Station or any other station within the country, as investigations may dictate.
"This limited period of detention is the least intrusive measure we can take to safeguard the interests of justice and ensure the victims' rights are upheld," the court heard.
Further, the prosecution said it had acted in good faith by presenting the respondent to court promptly, and that Talaam had been informed of both the reasons for his arrest and the grounds for seeking continued detention.
"We have satisfied the legal tests required for pre-trial detention. There is already demonstrable interference with evidence and witnesses. We only seek a short window to conclude investigations," they added.
Talaam was arrested on June 13, 2025, by DCI officers and handed over to IPOA. He was later booked at Lang'ata Police Station under OB No. 50/13/6/2025 at 6:05 p.m. At the time of arrest, Taalam was informed that it was in connection with the ongoing murder investigation.
The court has been told that preliminary evidence gathered so far indicates that Talaam and others still at large are suspected to have directed, planned, and attempted to cover up the fatal assault of Ojwang inside the police station cells.
Milimani principal magistrate Benmark Ekhubi, however, said he will make a ruling on June 18 on whether to grant the 21-day detention or not.
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