Central Police Station commander distances himself from blogger’s death while under investigation
NAIROBI – Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Taalam of Nairobi’s Central Police Station has vehemently denied any involvement in the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody, as officers from his station claim the suspect was already in critical condition when brought to their facility.
The denial comes as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) continues recording statements from officers at Central Police Station, with tensions escalating between different units of the police service over responsibility for Ojwang’s death.
Officers Point Fingers at DCI
Officers from Central Police Station have told IPOA investigators that Ojwang was already in a deteriorating state when he arrived at their facility, seemingly shifting blame to their counterparts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who transported the blogger from Homa Bay County.
“They allege that they made efforts to save his life upon realizing his deteriorating state, seemingly pointing fingers at their counterparts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), accusing them of bearing responsibility for Ojwang’s death,” according to sources familiar with the investigation.
The officers claim they took immediate action to rush Ojwang to hospital upon noticing his poor health condition, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Taalam’s Defense
OCS Taalam, who recorded his statement at IPOA offices on Wednesday, has maintained his innocence through his lawyer Felix Keaton. Taalam insists he was only summoned after Ojwang had already been booked into custody and found the suspect in poor health upon his arrival.
“He claimed that upon arrival, he found the suspect in poor health and took the initiative to rush him to hospital,” investigators were told.
Keaton expressed his client’s willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation, stating that Taalam is “committed to ensuring justice is served.”
DCI Boss Names Taalam Prime Suspect
However, Taalam’s denial contradicts statements made by DCI Director Mohammed Amin, who told senators on Wednesday that the OCS should be treated as the prime suspect in the ongoing murder probe.
During a Senate grilling session, Amin revealed that investigations established Taalam declined to book Ojwang when he was presented at the station, raising serious questions about his conduct.
“It has further been confirmed that before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, and unfortunately, it is being said that he (Taalam) declined to book the suspect,” Amin told the Senate. “Taalam is the Officer Commanding Central Police Station, and from the totality of things, he should be treated as the prime suspect in the matter.”
Post-Mortem Contradicts Police Report
The controversy deepened after a post-mortem examination conducted by government pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia contradicted the initial police report claiming Ojwang died after hitting his head against a wall.
Dr. Midia explained that the pattern of injuries found on Ojwang’s body was inconsistent with self-infliction. “The bleeds that we found on the scalp, on the skin of the head were spaced, including on the face, sides of the head, and the back of the head,” he said, adding that when combined with other injuries spread across the body, “this is unlikely to be self-inflicted injury.”
Transport from Homa Bay Under Scrutiny
The case has also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s transfer from Homa Bay, where he was arrested in connection with cybercrime allegations, to Nairobi’s Central Police Station.
DCI Director Amin defended the transfer, citing the Criminal Procedure Code provisions that allow suspects to be moved across counties depending on the jurisdiction of the offense. He confirmed that Ojwang was transported directly from Homa Bay to Central Police Station without any stops at DCI headquarters.
“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,” Amin stated.
Timeline Under Investigation
Questions continue to mount over the exact timeline of events and the state in which Ojwang was brought into Central Police Station. The case has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability in police custody deaths.
IPOA is expected to forward its findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with recommendations on whether charges should be brought against the officers involved.
