Court to rule on whether to detain Central Police OCS Samson Talaam for 21 days over Albert Ojwang's death
On Monday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the court that Taalam had interfered with crucial evidence related to an ongoing investigation into the death of a suspect in police custody.
A Nairobi court is expected on Wednesday to rule on whether Central Police Station OCS Samson Taalam will be detained for 21 days over his suspected involvement in the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
Taalam is set to appear before Milimani Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi, who will deliver the ruling.
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On Monday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the court that Taalam had interfered with crucial evidence related to an ongoing investigation into the death of a suspect in police custody.
In a miscellaneous application filed before the court, it was alleged that Taalam, as custodian of station records and CCTV systems, hired a technician to tamper with surveillance footage at Central Police Station in an attempt to obstruct justice.
The DPP further stated that Taalam’s mobile phone has already been confiscated and is undergoing forensic analysis 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 he may interfere with these potential witnesses,” the prosecution told the court.
The prosecution is seeking to have Taalam detained for 21 days to allow the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to complete its investigations without interference.
According to court documents, IPOA has requested that Taalam be held at Lang’ata Police Station or any other station within the country, depending on the needs of the investigation.
“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 was told.
The prosecution further argued that it had acted in good faith by promptly presenting the respondent to court, and that Taalam 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 are only seeking a short window to conclude investigations,” the prosecution added.
Taalam was arrested on June 13, 2025, by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and handed over to IPOA. He was later booked at Lang’ata Police Station under OB No. 50/13/6/2025 at 6:05 pm. At the time of arrest, he was informed it was in connection with the ongoing murder investigation.
The court has been told that preliminary evidence gathered so far suggests that Taalam 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.
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