OCS Talaam ordered to vacate house, surrender police gear after interdiction

OCS Talaam ordered to vacate house, surrender police gear after interdiction

The letter states that Talaam’s suspension from duty will remain in place as investigations continue. Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger, was arrested in Homa Bay and later moved to Nairobi, where he died under mysterious circumstances.

The interdiction letter for Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam has confirmed that the officer will now be on half salary and stripped of official powers, following the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody.

The action comes after Ojwang was found unresponsive in a cell and later confirmed dead, raising serious questions over police conduct.

Dated June 9, 2025, the letter states that Talaam’s suspension from duty will remain in place as investigations continue. Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger, was arrested in Homa Bay and later moved to Nairobi, where he died under mysterious circumstances.

An autopsy later showed that he had suffered blunt force injuries and strangulation, disputing earlier claims that he had hurt himself by banging his head on a wall.

The order for interdiction was signed by Regional Police Commander George Sedah and copied to the Deputy Inspector General of Police.

“By reason of this interdiction, your appointment as a police officer shall not cease, but powers, privileges and benefits shall be suspended. You shall continue to be subjected to the discipline and penalties provided under the National Police Service Act 11 of 2014 as if you had not been interdicted,” the letter reads.

Talaam has been told to hand over his police certificate and all government-issued gear to the subcounty quartermaster and to cover the cost of any items not returned.

“By a copy of this letter, you are required to surrender your certificate of appointment and all items of government and police kit issued to you, to subcounty quartermaster stores and pay for any deficiency (ies) noted,” reads the letter.

He has also been ordered to vacate the government housing he currently occupies, with immediate effect.

The directive cites Section 14(9) of Legal Notice No. 90 of the National Police Service Commission Act No. 30 of 2011, and instructs the subcounty Police Commander Central to direct Talaam to relocate to his permanent residence, from where he will continue to report for accountability.

Talaam, who has served in the police service for 29 years, has also been reassigned to Eldoret Police Station, where he will remain under watch as the process continues.

Ojwang had been booked at the Nairobi Central Police Station on June 7, 2025, under OB number 136/7/6/2025, after his transfer from Mawego Police Station.

His death has triggered public concern, especially after postmortem findings contradicted the earlier explanation of self-inflicted harm.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation, and a decision is yet to be made on whether disciplinary or criminal charges will be pursued against Talaam.

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