In a stunning development that has reignited public concern over police accountability and brutality in Kenya, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief Mohamed Amin has named the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, Samson Taalam, as the prime suspect in the murder of social media influencer Albert Ojwang.
Amin made the revelation on Wednesday during a grilling session before the Senate, which is conducting a parliamentary inquiry into the highly controversial death. The case has triggered nationwide outrage, with many Kenyans demanding justice for Ojwang, whose arrest and subsequent death under police custody have drawn disturbing parallels with previous cases of alleged police abuse.
DCI Pins Blame on Central Police Station OCS
According to DCI Mohamed Amin, evidence gathered so far points to serious misconduct and possible criminal culpability by OCS Samson Taalam, who was in charge at the time Albert Ojwang was brought into Nairobi Central Police Station.
“It has further been confirmed that before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, and unfortunately, it is being said that Taalam declined to book the suspect,” said Amin. “From the totality of things, he should be treated as the prime suspect in the matter.”
This direct accusation from the DCI boss is unprecedented and marks a significant escalation in the investigation into what many are now calling the “Albert Ojwang police murder case.”
Timeline Discrepancies and Transport Concerns
DCI Amin also dismissed previous reports that had suggested Ojwang’s movement from Homa Bay to Nairobi took over 26 hours. These claims had fueled suspicions that the influencer might have been subjected to torture or other forms of mistreatment during the transfer.
In response, Amin clarified that Ojwang was first booked at Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay County on Saturday afternoon and later transferred to Central Police Station in Nairobi the same evening.
“The vehicle that was used to ferry the deceased from Homa Bay County to Nairobi was a DCI vehicle,” Amin said. “From Homa Bay, he was driven straight to Central Police Station, and we can technically confirm the movement of the Subaru vehicle using the GPS system.”
He added that Ojwang was officially booked out of Mawego Police Station at 4:00 p.m. and then booked into Nairobi Central at 9:32 p.m., a duration that falls within the expected six-hour drive time between the two locations.
DCI Denies Claims of Torture
In an attempt to quash growing concerns over allegations of police torture and abuse, Amin asserted that Ojwang appeared “normal” upon arrival at the Central Police Station. He explained that the suspect’s entry into the station was digitally logged, minimizing the possibility of record tampering or backdating.
“The suspect was placed in the cells while appearing normal, and that was captured digitally. There is no room for human interference,” Amin told the Senate.
He further revealed that Ojwang was even allowed to communicate with his wife while in custody, and was provided refreshments during a stopover in Narok, suggesting that he was treated “humanely” during the entire journey.
Contradictory Reports Spark Confusion and Concern
Despite the DCI’s reassurances, conflicting reports continue to emerge, further complicating the narrative around Albert Ojwang’s death.
Sources within the Nairobi Central Police Station had earlier claimed that Ojwang was brought in while bleeding and exhibiting visible injuries. A concerning detail in the occurrence book allegedly includes the word “sick” next to his name, raising red flags about his health status upon arrival.
Furthermore, activists and independent watchdogs have questioned why Ojwang was booked at Nairobi Central Police Station 32 hours after reportedly being picked up from his home, pointing to a gap that could conceal acts of torture or unlawful detention.
Ojwang was later declared dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital at 1:39 a.m., according to official police records.
Public Reaction and National Outcry
The case of Albert Ojwang’s suspicious death while in police custody has struck a nerve with Kenyans across the country. Social media platforms have been flooded with calls for justice, with hashtags such as #JusticeForOjwang and #StopPoliceBrutality trending nationwide.
Human rights organizations, including the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) and Amnesty International Kenya, have demanded an independent probe into the death, citing potential conflicts of interest within internal police investigations.
“This is yet another chilling reminder of the deep rot within our criminal justice system,” said a spokesperson from IMLU. “The Kenyan people need answers, and more importantly, they need accountability.”
What Next for Samson Taalam?
With DCI Amin publicly naming Samson Taalam as the prime suspect, the pressure is now on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to act swiftly.
Legal experts say the DCI’s statements may pave the way for disciplinary action, and possibly criminal prosecution, against Taalam if further evidence supports his direct involvement or negligence in the matter.
So far, neither IPOA nor the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has issued an official statement on whether OCS Taalam has been suspended or interrogated.
Broader Questions About Police Conduct in Kenya
The tragedy of Albert Ojwang’s death under police watch raises broader concerns about systemic issues within Kenya’s law enforcement agencies. Critics say that without structural reforms and proper oversight, incidents like this will continue to plague the criminal justice system.
“This case is not an isolated incident,” said a human rights lawyer who requested anonymity. “There have been far too many deaths in custody, and very few have led to actual convictions.”
As the Senate probe continues and investigations deepen, Kenyans will be watching closely to see whether this case becomes a watershed moment for justice—or just another name added to the long list of victims of police brutality in Kenya.