The family of Nairobi Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Talam has strongly refuted reports suggesting he was arrested while attempting to flee authorities. The clarification comes as Talam faces investigations related to the death of Albert Ojwang, who died under unclear circumstances in police custody.
In an official statement issued to newsrooms, the family emphasized that Eldoret, where Talam was reportedly “nabbed,” is his official and well-known place of residence. They described as false claims that the senior officer had gone into hiding or switched off his phone to evade arrest.
“OCS Talam voluntarily surrendered himself to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), demonstrating full cooperation with the ongoing process,” said family spokesperson Tony Koskei.
Koskei added that Talam was received in good order by authorities and is now in lawful custody as investigations continue.
Call for Responsible Reporting
The family urged both the public and media outlets to avoid spreading unverified or misleading information.
“Let the truth guide public discourse. We urge media outlets and individuals to verify facts before spreading harmful misinformation. Factual reporting is essential to ensure justice and due process are upheld,” Koskei noted.
The family clarified that at no point did Talam attempt to avoid communication with investigators or colleagues.
“He was accessible throughout and only switched off his phone briefly to manage the overwhelming volume of calls from concerned friends and colleagues,” Koskei added.
Context of the Allegations
The surrender of OCS Talam follows allegations under investigation concerning the death of Albert Ojwang, who was arrested at his home in Homa Bay over accusations of publishing false information. Ojwang died in police custody under circumstances that have raised public concern and prompted investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Authorities have confirmed that Talam was off duty on the night Ojwang was brought into the station.
Progress in Investigations
So far, 23 individuals—including 17 police officers and six civilians—have been questioned either as suspects or witnesses in the matter. Among them is a technician who admitted to receiving KSh 3,000 to delete CCTV footage from the night of Ojwang’s death, allegedly part of a coordinated cover-up effort.
Additionally, IPOA secured a court order to detain Constable James Mukhwana for seven days, citing risks of witness interference and evidence tampering. Court documents indicate that initial findings point to Mukhwana and other officers being involved in the fatal assault on Ojwang.
OCS Talam is being held at a Nairobi police station and is expected to appear in court on Monday as investigations continue.