Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Kiprotich Talaam, along with Police Constable James Mukhwana, and civilians Peter Kimani, John Ngige Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue, have been formally charged with the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang. The six were arraigned in court and accused of jointly committing the offence on the night of June 7 to June 8, 2025, between 9:30 PM and 2:00 AM, at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) stated that the accused, along with others not before the court, are believed to have taken part in the killing, an offence contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. All six individuals appeared before the High Court in Kibera where they pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the court recorded the same.
During the hearing, defence lawyers led by Danstan Omari made a plea for their clients to be released on bail or reasonable bond terms. They argued that their clients were entitled to the presumption of innocence and deserved to be allowed to await trial outside custody.
However, the prosecution strongly opposed this application. The Principal Prosecution Counsel argued that releasing the suspects on bail could jeopardize the integrity of the case. A primary concern raised by the prosecution was the risk of interference with key witnesses, particularly since three of the accused are serving police officers still attached to the Central Police Station the alleged scene of the crime.
The court was informed that evidence, specifically CCTV footage from the station, had already been tampered with, suggesting an attempt to conceal or destroy evidence. The prosecution maintained that if the suspects were granted bail, there was a significant likelihood that more evidence could be compromised and witnesses intimidated or influenced.
In light of the serious nature of the offence, which carries the possibility of a death sentence upon conviction, the state urged the court to deny bail and keep the accused in custody. The prosecution emphasized that this was not merely a precautionary measure but a necessary step to protect the integrity of the judicial process and ensure that justice is served for the deceased.
The court is expected to deliberate on the arguments presented by both sides and issue a ruling on the bail application. Meanwhile, the suspects remain in custody as preparations for the full trial continue.
