OCS, his deputy to remain in custody over blogger's death

The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) a Central Police Station, Samson Talaam, and his deputy, Samuel Ng’ang’a, will remain in custody until July 1 as investigations continue into the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’.

Separate rulings by Milimani and Kahawa courts ordered the continued detention of the two, pending inquiries by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa), which is treating Ojwang’s death as custodial murder.

Talaam will be held at Lang’ata Police Station, and Ng’ang’a at Muthaiga.

Senior Resident Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi ruled that the prosecution had presented compelling reasons to deny Talaam bail, citing his influence over junior officers and the risk of witness interference.

“The respondent wields immense influence and has communicated with officers before, during, and after the incident,” the magistrate noted. He added that releasing Talaam could endanger him and escalate public unrest, given the widespread protests triggered by Ojwang’s death.

Ojwang’ was arrested on 7 June following a complaint by Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat over alleged false online publications. He died the next day in custody. A post-mortem showed blunt head trauma, neck compression, and severe bruising.

Ipoa alleges a cover-up involving falsified OB entries and tampered CCTV footage. Investigator Abiraman Jibri told the court that Talaam allegedly directed officers to alter records and engaged a technician to interfere with surveillance systems.

Magistrate Ekhubi underscored the seriousness of the case, drawing parallels with historical atrocities to emphasise the importance of protecting human dignity. He stressed that while bail is a right, it is not absolute when public interest and witness safety are at stake.

In Kahawa Law Courts, Magistrate Gideon Kiage granted IPOA 14 days to hold Ng’ang’a as it investigates his role in the events surrounding Ojwang’s death.

Separately, Talaam’s defence, led by lawyer Danstan Omari, accused IPOA of failing to safeguard the OCS’s confiscated mobile phone. They claimed the device had been used to solicit money from Talaam’s contacts, including fellow lawyer Cliff Ombeta.

“Mr Ombeta received a request for Sh80,000 from someone using Talaam’s number. Family members also got messages asking for financial help,” Omari told the court, calling for accountability from IPOA commissioners.

In response, Magistrate Ekhubi summoned IPOA’s Senior Assistant Director of Investigations, Abdiraman Jibril, to appear on Friday and explain the phone’s alleged misuse.

“These are grave allegations. The integrity of constitutional offices must not be put into question,” the magistrate ruled.

Speaking outside court, Ombeta confirmed receiving the suspicious message: “That number should not be in use, let alone for fraud. Something is very wrong.”

The matter will be mentioned on Frida