The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has filed a request in court to detain Nairobi Central Police Station OCS, Samson Taalam, for 21 days as investigations into the alleged murder of blogger Albert Ojwang intensify.
In a miscellaneous application filed in court, IPOA is asking that Taalam be held at Lang’ata Police Station or any other suitable facility to allow forensic analysis of critical electronic evidence and completion of investigative procedures.
According to court documents, the application is backed by an affidavit sworn by Abdirahman Jibril, a Senior Assistant Director of Investigations at IPOA, who revealed that the authority is pursuing Inquiry No. IPOA/INV/476/2025. The inquiry focuses on the death of Ojwang, who is suspected to have died while in custody at Nairobi Central Police Station.
Taalam was arrested on June 13, 2025, by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) 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. Upon his arrest, Taalam was informed that it was connected to the ongoing murder probe.
Preliminary findings presented to the court suggest that Taalam, together with other unidentified suspects, may have been involved in directing, planning, and attempting to cover up the brutal assault that allegedly led to Ojwang’s death inside the police station cells.
IPOA’s legal team emphasized that mobile phones and other electronic gadgets seized from Taalam during his arrest are yet to undergo forensic examination, which is crucial to establishing the communication and possible coordination surrounding the incident.
The authority further argued that the limited time since the arrest has not been adequate to finalize the probe, especially considering the sensitive and complex nature of the case. They are now seeking a 21-day detention order to ensure a thorough investigation is completed without interference.
The court is expected to rule on the application soon, as public interest in the case remains high due to the alleged abuse of power by law enforcement officers.
