Nairobi Central Police Station Commanding officer (OCS) Samson Taalam has been arrested after he was named as a prime suspect in the death of influencer Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody.
Ojwang’, who was arrested in Homa Bay in connection with a cybercrime offence, was transferred to Nairobi, where he died at the Central Police Station.
Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohammed Amin, while appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, told legislators that Ojwang’ was never booked into custody, following Talaam’s orders, despite being presented to the station after his arrest in Homa Bay.
“It has further been confirmed that before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, who declined to book the suspect. Talaam is the Officer Commanding Central Police Station, and from the totality of things, he should be treated as a prime suspect in the matter,” Mohammed said.
Contrary to speculation that the suspect may have been held at DCI headquarters before being taken to Central Police Station, Mohammed clarified that the vehicle carrying him, registration GK C519B, a Subaru used by the DCI, was tracked and travelled directly to Central Police Station.
“I can confirm without fear of contradiction that from Homa Bay, the suspect was driven straight to Central Police Station and nowhere else. We can technically confirm this even through the GPS system of the Subaru vehicle,” Mohammed said.
Meanwhile, the interdicted Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam has been arrested this evening, Friday, June 13.
According to his lawyer, Felix Kiprono, Taalam, who was suspended from duties earlier this week, has been apprehended by detectives in Eldoret and is being transferred to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) headquarters.
The OCS is being taken to IPOA headquarters in Nairobi for further questioning as investigations into the death of the young teach continue.
Ojwang’s arrest, death in police custody.
Ojwang was arrested on Saturday in Kakot, Homa Bay County, by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over an alleged derogatory post on X.
The complainant behind Ojwang’s arrest was the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat.
Ojwang was transported to Nairobi and detained at the Central Police Station. When his family visited the station on Sunday to check on him, police told them he had died and that his body had been moved to City Mortuary.
But IPOA’s preliminary investigations have pointed to torture and murder while in custody, contrary to the police version that he had fatally injured himself by hitting his head against a cell wall.
“The signal by the police Inspector-General was incredible; it was a very poor cover-up attempt to say that Ojwang had hit his head on the wall,” IPOA chairperson Hassan said during a Parliamentary proceeding.
“The CCTV had been interfered with. The man was tortured and killed.”
So far, IPOA has interrogated 17 police officers and six civilian witnesses.
“We have the capacity to investigate this issue. Of course, we expect some kind of blue code where officers will choose to be silent, but we have other means,” he said.
Issack further announced that Deputy Inspector-General Lagat will be summoned to record a statement as the probe nears completion.
Kenyans have been calling for the resignation and prosecution of DIG Lagat, the complainant, accused of allegedly being involved in Ojwang's death.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is among those who have blamed the Deputy Inspector General of Police, for the death of the social media influencer.
“The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Eliud Lagat, is the complainant, and the one who ordered the arrest in the alleged 'crime' that Ojwang committed was making a fair comment on his social media account on Mr. Eliud Lagat. He must take full responsibility for this murder,” read part of the statement.
The former DP also alleged that Lagat operates Kamukunji Police Station and Central Police Station without the knowledge of Police IG Douglas Kanja.
“Lagat is personally operating Kamukunji Police Station and Central Police Station without the knowledge of the police IG. People are complaining that those two stations have become the new torture chambers. That is the reason Albert had to be moved from Homa Bay to Central Police Station in Nairobi,” he claimed.
Gachagua called for the immediate suspension of DIG Lagat pending investigations into the death of Ojwang. The DCP Party leader pointed out that the suspension of junior police officers at Central Police Station is duping Kenyans.
“Suspending junior officers at Central Police Station is hoodwinking Kenyans. For any meaningful investigations to be done, Mr. Eliud Lagat must be suspended immediately,” Gachagua demanded.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja explained why his deputy, Eliud Lagat, is still in office, saying he will only be required to step aside if his name appears in the ongoing investigations.
Speaking before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on Thursday, Kanja said the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is leading the probe and that everyone mentioned will be required to give their account.
“This is about the DIG stepping aside to allow for investigation. Only this one. There is an ongoing investigation by IPOA, and in these investigations, every person whose name will be mentioned is to have played any role that led to the death of the late Albert Ojwang, must record their statement and show their side. And it is on that basis, I believe, if the DIG is going to be mentioned, then definitely he’ll be able to step aside to allow for that cooperation of that investigation,” he explained.
