A Nairobi court has ordered the continued detention of Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam for 15 days as investigations into the death of blogger Albert Ojwang continue.
Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi, who delivered the ruling, denied Talaam bail, saying the prosecution had presented compelling evidence that justified his continued stay in custody. Ekhubi said the information brought to court showed that releasing Talaam could undermine the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
He noted that while courts typically require direct evidence of threats or witness interference, the prosecution had already demonstrated serious concerns, including allegations that the crime scene and key CCTV footage had been tampered with.
Magistrate Ekhubi also referenced the “blue code,” a term describing a culture of silence and protection within police ranks, and pointed out that this unwritten code exists even in global policing systems like those in the United States. He warned that such dynamics could already be influencing Talaam’s case.
“The blue code is a common phenomenon within police ranks — even in jurisdictions like the United States,” Ekhubi said.
Due to Talaam’s senior rank and long-standing position in the police service, the court observed he could potentially leverage his wide internal network to avoid accountability or obstruct investigations if released on bail.
The magistrate also dismissed the prosecution’s argument that Talaam should remain in custody for his own safety, stating that public protests and outrage had persisted even while he was behind bars.
Continued demonstrations alone, Ekhubi ruled, were not sufficient to justify detention based solely on safety concerns.
Opening his ruling with a chilling reflection, Ekhubi warned against ignoring signs of rising state violence and repression.
“I point out and shudder for my country… what has happened during the demonstrations. I remind my country of the words spoken in Rwanda during the genocide: ‘Never again,’” he said.
Despite the tense public atmosphere, the magistrate emphasized that Talaam’s extended detention was necessary to prevent witness interference and ensure a credible investigation. He ruled that Talaam would remain in custody for 15 more days as police continue to dig deeper into the case.
