The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has moved to court, seeking orders to detain Central Police Station OCS Samson Talam for 21 days.
In a miscellaneous application filed at Milimani Law Courts, IPOA says this will allow completion of investigations into the gruesome murder of blogger Albert Ojwang.
The application is supported by an affidavit sworn by Senior Assistant Director of Investigations Abdirahman Jibril, who is attached to IPOA headquarters.
The authority is requesting that Taalam be held at Lang’ata Police Station or any other station within the country, as investigations may dictate.
Additionally, IPOA is seeking orders that seized electronic gadgets from the officer, undergo a forensic examination.
IPOA states Taalam’s mobile phones, seized during arrest, are yet to undergo forensic analysis.
The authority argues that the time since the arrest has not been sufficient to complete investigations, necessitating the 21-day hold request.
IPOA is investigating Inquiry No. IPOA/INV/476/2025 into the death of Ojwang, suspected to have occurred at Nairobi Central Police Station while the deceased was in custody.
"Taalam 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 6:05pm,” reads Jibril’s affidavit.
“At the time of arrest, Taalam was informed that it was in connection to the ongoing murder investigation.”
The court has been told that preliminary evidence gathered so far indicates 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.
Talam was arrested on Friday, June 13, 2025. His lawyers said he presented himself to the police.
In a petition trying to halt prosecution, the OCS states that his arrest was premature and procedurally flawed.
Talam adds that he was off duty when Ojwang was detained, having delegated responsibilities to his deputy.
Besides Talam, three other officers are also being held in connection with Ojwang’s death.
In total, 23 individuals—including 17 police officers and six civilians—have been questioned as suspects or witnesses.
