Ex-Central OCS Samson Taalam Denied Bail in Ojwang’ Murder Case, Remanded Until September

Nairobi, Kenya – Former Central Police Station OCS Samson Taalam will remain behind bars until at least September 26 after the High Court declined to release him on bond in the murder case of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.

Taalam, charged alongside five junior officers, is accused of the brutal killing of Ojwang while in police custody in early June. His co-accused are Police Constables James Mukhwana, Peter Kimani, John Ngige Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue.

Justice Diana Kavedza, presiding over the matter, revealed on Wednesday that the probation office had issued an unfavourable report, recommending that none of the accused be released on bond due to concerns about witness interference and flight risk.

“The recommendation from the probation office is to deny all the accused persons bond pending the hearing and determination of this capital offence,” Justice Kavedza told the packed courtroom.

The defence team, led by veteran lawyer Danstan Omari, fiercely opposed the recommendation. Omari argued that the accused are entitled to bond under Kenyan law and are not flight risks, especially Mr Taalam, who served 28 years in the police force without any prior disciplinary issues.

Omari further countered the claim of witness intimidation by submitting a letter confirming Taalam’s removal from the National Police Service. “He no longer holds any authority or position to influence witnesses or interfere with investigations,” Omari told the court.

The prosecution, however, insisted that public interest and the gravity of the offence demanded that the accused remain in remand. They noted that the potential penalty upon conviction—death—significantly increases the risk of absconding.

Justice Kavedza is expected to make a final ruling on the bond application on September 26, 2025.

The day’s proceedings were briefly interrupted when a human rights activist disrupted the court session, reportedly shouting in protest over the handling of the case. He later issued an apology to the judge, who allowed the proceedings to continue.

According to court records, Mr Ojwang was arrested on June 7, 2025, and first booked at Mawego Police Station around 2:30pm. He was later transferred to Nairobi and booked into Central Police Station at 9:32pm by Constable Mukhwana.

By 1:40am on June 8, Ojwang was found unconscious and bleeding inside his cell. He was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem conducted on June 10 attributed his death to blunt force trauma to the head, neck compression, and multiple bruises across his body.

His death, widely condemned as a custodial killing, sparked national outrage and protests, with growing calls for the arrest of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat—the original complainant in Ojwang’s case.

As pressure mounts for accountability in the high-profile murder, all eyes now turn to September, when the court will determine if the suspects can be freed ahead of trial. Until then, the six officers will remain in custody as investigations continue.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. He stepped aside on June 16, 2025 over the death of teacher Albert Ojwang.