Nairobi Central Police Station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Talam, has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’. Talam, who had reportedly gone into hiding, was tracked and apprehended in Eldoret following an intensive manhunt led by detectives.
According to investigators, Talam had switched off his mobile phone on the evening of Thursday, June 12, in an apparent effort to evade arrest. After hours of pursuit, he was located and detained on Friday, June 13. He was later handed over to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for processing as part of the broader probe into Ojwang’s death.
Talam’s arrest makes him the third individual taken into custody over the murder. His detention marks a significant escalation in the case, which has gripped national attention due to alleged police involvement and attempts to interfere with evidence.
Earlier on the same day, a 23-year-old technician suspected of tampering with CCTV footage central to the investigation was arrested in Nairobi’s Saika estate. The technician is said to have been paid KSh3,000 to erase surveillance recordings that showed the moments surrounding Ojwang’s detention at Central Police Station. He had previously installed the surveillance system at the station in 2024 and had returned multiple times for maintenance work, making him familiar with the station’s security infrastructure.
Authorities believe the CCTV manipulation was deliberate, aiming to obstruct justice and hide key details about Ojwang’s final moments at the station. The Senate was recently informed that IPOA’s investigations had been hindered due to the tampering of this footage. The technician is now being treated as a critical link in what appears to be a broader cover-up attempt.
Ojwang’ had been booked into the Central Police Station prior to his death under unclear circumstances, prompting questions about the conduct of officers and the integrity of procedures followed during his detention.
On Thursday, June 12, a day before Talam’s arrest, Police Constable James Mukhwana of Central Police Station was also apprehended. Mukhwana is expected to face murder charges following preliminary investigations by the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) and IPOA. His arrest was part of coordinated efforts to hold accountable any officers suspected of direct or indirect involvement in the incident.
The unfolding case has sparked public outrage and drawn attention to ongoing concerns about police brutality, cover-ups, and accountability in law enforcement. As the investigation deepens, pressure continues to mount on authorities to deliver justice to the family of Albert Ojwang’ and ensure that all involved face the full force of the law.
