The tragic death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody continues to unravel a complex web of conflicting narratives, blame-shifting, and alleged cover-ups, pushing the pursuit of justice into the highest echelons of law enforcement. What began as a mysterious death at Nairobi’s Central Police Station has intensified into a critical investigation, culminating in the significant Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Taalam.
In the immediate aftermath of Ojwang’s demise, officers from Central Police Station quickly moved to distance themselves, recording statements with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). Their narrative attempted to shift blame, alleging that Ojwang was already in critical condition when he arrived at their station. They claimed efforts were made to save his life upon realizing his deteriorating state, seemingly pointing fingers at their counterparts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), implying DCI officers bore responsibility for Ojwang’s condition.
OCS Samson Taalam himself, through his lawyer Felix Keaton, also recorded a statement with IPOA, vehemently denying any involvement in Ojwang’s alleged torture and subsequent death. He insisted he was only summoned after Ojwang had already been booked into custody, claiming he found the suspect in poor health and took the initiative to rush him to hospital. This initial defense painted Taalam as a reactive, humane officer trying to salvage a dire situation.
However, the narrative dramatically shifted when DCI boss Amin Mohammed made a bold and public declaration during a Senate grilling session. Amin unequivocally stated that OCS Taalam should be considered the prime suspect in the ongoing probe into Ojwang’s murder. The DCI boss revealed that investigations had established a critical fact: OCS Taalam allegedly declined to book Ojwang when he was presented at Central Police Station. Amin emphasized, "It has further been confirmed that before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, and unfortunately, it is being said that he (Taalam) declined to book the suspect... Taalam is the Officer Commanding Central Police Station, and from the totality of things, he should be treated as the prime suspect in the matter."
Amin went further, directly contradicting earlier speculative reports about Ojwang’s journey. He dismissed claims of a prolonged, 26-hour transport from Homa Bay to Nairobi, confirming that Ojwang was first booked at Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay County on Saturday afternoon before being transferred directly to Central Police Station in Nairobi the same day. He even cited GPS data from the DCI vehicle used to confirm the precise movement. Crucially, Amin dispelled claims of torture during transit, stating that Ojwang "appeared normal" when he arrived at Central Police Station, with his entry captured digitally, ruling out any manual interference in the records. This DCI narrative directly countered earlier police sources from Central PS who alleged Ojwang was booked in while bleeding, with "sick" conspicuously noted. Regardless of these conflicting claims, police records ultimately declared Ojwang dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital at 1:39 AM.
The relentless build-up of these conflicting statements and damning accusations eventually culminated in a decisive action: the arrest of OCS Samson Taalam. Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Commissioner Boniface Samati confirmed on Friday that Taalam had been arrested by the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) and handed over to IPOA. Samati stressed that Taalam would be "key in assisting the ongoing investigations" and that IPOA had recorded statements from even more witnesses, including other suspects who were locked in cells at Central Police Station on that fateful night, to meticulously piece together the events surrounding Ojwang's death.
Samati updated the public on the ongoing investigation, confirming that IPOA had documented the scene, collected blood samples for government chemists, and crucially, obtained the CCTV Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) in an attempt to recover the tampered footage. He revealed that three arrests have now been made in total: OCS Taalam, Police Constable James Mukhwana (who was on duty when the incident happened and "knows very well" what transpired), and the technician allegedly paid to dismantle the CCTV footage.
The arrest of OCS Taalam marks a significant escalation in the pursuit of justice for Albert Ojwang. The focus has now firmly shifted to the chain of command and the direct responsibility of those in charge of the station where a life was tragically lost. It signals a critical moment for accountability within the police force, where the truth, however inconvenient, is being relentlessly pursued amidst a tangled web of denials and counter-accusations. The nation watches closely, awaiting the full findings and the ultimate recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
