The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has accused Nairobi Central Police Station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Taalam, of interfering with critical evidence in the investigation into the mysterious death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Appearing before the Milimani Law Courts, the prosecution alleged that Taalam, who is responsible for maintaining station records and managing CCTV surveillance, enlisted a technician to tamper with footage captured by the station’s security cameras. Investigators believe this was a calculated attempt to obstruct justice in a case that has sparked public concern.
The prosecution further claimed that Taalam remained in frequent communication with Officer James Mukhwana, one of the officers who had access to the station’s holding cells on the day of Ojwang’s death.
To aid ongoing inquiries, detectives have confiscated Taalam’s mobile phone, which is currently undergoing forensic analysis.
The State is asking the court to detain Taalam for 21 days, giving the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) enough time to complete its investigations without outside influence.
“This limited period of detention is the least intrusive measure we can take to safeguard the interests of justice and ensure the victims’ rights are upheld,” the court heard.
“There are key witnesses, including officers who were on duty that day, who have not yet recorded their statements. Given the respondent’s senior role at the station, there’s a real risk he could interfere with them,” the prosecution told the court.
State Counsel emphasized that prosecutors had acted in good faith by presenting Taalam to court promptly and informing him of the grounds for his arrest and continued detention. They argued that there was clear evidence of witness and evidence interference, and only a short detention period was being sought.
“We have satisfied the legal tests required for pre-trial detention. There is already demonstrable interference with evidence and witnesses. We only seek a short window to conclude investigations,” said the State Counsel.
Taalam’s defense team, however, pushed back against the State’s request, arguing that the IPOA affidavit lacked strong evidence to justify the detention.
The defense requested Taalam’s release on Ksh7,000 cash bail or a reasonable bond, citing his voluntary surrender and 29 years of unblemished service in the police force. His lawyer assured the court that, if released, Taalam would avoid the Nairobi Central Police Station entirely to prevent any suggestion of interference.
The court directed that Samson Taalam remain in custody at Lang’ata Police Station until Wednesday, June 18, 2025, when it will issue a ruling on whether to grant the State’s request to detain him for the full 21 days.
