Albert Ojwang Murder: Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam Arrested

Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Talaam has been arrested in connection with the murder of teacher and X influencer Albert Ojwang.

According to reports reaching Viral Tea, Talaam was arrested in Eldoret, 313 kilometres from Nairobi. Police say he was on the run before the arrest.

Lawyer Felix Kiprono, who confirmed his arrest, stated that Talaam has been taken to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for questioning.

IPOA further confirmed that the interdicted OCS was a person of interest in the case. Meanwhile, the oversight authority revealed that Ojwang died inside a Central Police Station jail cell.

His arrest comes after Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin stated that Taalam should be deemed the prime suspect in the murder of Ojwang.

While addressing the Senate, Amin pointed to Taalam as the main person to be held to account for Ojwang's death on Sunday, June 8.

Giving his brief, Amin clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, Taalam didn’t refuse to book Ojwang when he arrived at Central Police. According to Amin, this only strengthened the case for treating the OCS as the main suspect.

"When Ojwang arrived at the Central Police Station, he was booked digitally. It has further been confirmed that before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, that he declined to book the suspect," revealed DCI Amin.

"Talam is the officer commanding Central Police Station, and from the totality of things, he should be treated as a prime suspect in the matter."

Following the revelation of Ojwang's murder and the involvement of Central Police Station officers, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja suspended Taalam along with five other officers. In addition to Taalam, those suspended were the deputy OCS, the deputy NCO, the crime aid officer, the cell sentry officer, and staff from the report office.

The current arrest follows a first arrest made on James Mukhwana, a Police Constable (PC) attached to the Central Police Station. He will remain in police custody and be detained at the Capitol Hill Police Station as investigations into the murder continue.

Milimani Law Courts Magistrate Robinson Ondieki ordered that Mukhwana remain in custody for one week as he awaits his court hearing.

“On whether he will remain in custody or be released, the date for the ruling has been set on the 20th of this month. In the meantime, he will be detained at the Capitol Hill Police Station,” the judge stated.