DPP alleges former OCS Samson Talaam and five others deliberately assaulted blogger Albert Ojwang to death
via Tuko5 min read
The Director of Public Prosecutions has informed the High Court that former Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam and five co-accused officers deliberately beat Albert Ojwang to death and subsequently attempted to conceal the circumstances of his death. The prosecution delivered its opening statement on Monday, July 20, at the start of the murder trial, stating that Ojwang was brought to Central Police Station alive following his arrest but was found dead the next morning while in custody. The state plans to establish who was responsible for Ojwang's death, how the fatal assault was carried out, and how the accused allegedly worked to hide the killing. Medical evidence will be central to the prosecution's case, as Ojwang's injuries are reportedly inconsistent with the police's initial explanation that he died after hitting his head against a wall. The prosecution will also call CCTV analysts and forensic experts to reconstruct Ojwang's movements and address alleged interference with CCTV footage. The DPP emphasized that Ojwang's death was not accidental and that officers who breach their duty to protect those in custody must be held accountable. Talaam and the five co-accused have all pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Ojwang's death sparked public outrage after it was revealed he died within hours of being arrested from Homa Bay and transferred to Nairobi's Central Police Station.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Must ReadThe Law Society of Kenya LSK has released a list of judges and judicial officers that advocates are instructed to boycott in a targeted action starting Thursday, July 23, 2026. This follows a planned nationwide general boycott of court proceedings on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. LSK President Charles Kanjama signed and published the notice on Monday, July 20, 2026. The targeted boycott will continue indefinitely until court orders restraining the Judicial Service Commission JSC, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission EACC, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations DCI are set aside. The list includes all six Supreme Court judges: Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Justice Isaac Lenaola, Justice Smokin Wanjala, Justice Njoki Ndung'u, and Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, who are linked to suspended or stopped JSC processes. Other judicial officers named in Section A are Justice Anthony Ombwayo, Justice Lucas Naikuni, Justice Sankale Ole Kantai, Justice Lucy Waithaka, Hon. Stella Atambo, and Lady Justice Dora Chepkwony. Justice Josephine Mong'are is named in Section B, linked to suspended or stopped EACC and DCI investigations. The LSK's action stems from persistent allegations of corruption, judicial misconduct, abuse of office, and unethical conduct by certain judicial officers, following months of engagement with the Judiciary that, according to Kanjama, yielded little progress.
Must ReadThe Independent Policing Oversight Authority IPOA has retrieved deleted CCTV footage from Central Police Station, dated June 7, 2025, related to the death of Albert Ojwang. The footage, presented before the Kibra High Court on Monday, July 21, shows a police officer, PC Kimani, interacting with two unidentified men in caps at the station before they proceeded to the holding cell. Later, the two unidentified individuals returned, their heads lowered and faces shielded, and were seen engaging PC Kimani again. In a separate sequence, a group of five people was captured running rapidly to the last cell, carrying an unidentified object. This footage emerged after a digital forensics expert testified that the station's CCTV recording system had been interfered with, and internal components were found removed from the DVR before IPOA documented the device. Authorities are now working to identify the two men seen with the officer.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has expressed his condolences following the death of Engineer Abdulahi Sharawe, who served as chair of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC and held various government roles. Kenyatta described Sharawe as a dedicated public servant whose commitment strengthened Kenya's democratic institutions. He recognized Sharawe's contributions in government and at the IEBC, the body responsible for overseeing elections and managing constituency boundaries in Kenya. Kenyatta extended his sympathies to Sharawe's family, friends, and colleagues, wishing them comfort and strength during their mourning period.