From left: Former Central Police Station boss Samson Talaam, Police Constable James Mukhwana, Peter Kimani, John Gitau, Gin Ammitou and Brian Mwaniki in court on June 24, 2025. They pleased not guilty for the murder of teacher Albert Ojwang.
One of the suspects implicated in the murder of Albert Ojwang’ is a General Service Unit (GSU) officer who had deserted the force and had been arrested for another murder.
While opposing the release of the six suspects- including former Central Police Station officer Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Talaam- after denying killing Ojwang, the prosecution informed the court that John Ngige Gitau was a GSU deserter.
The prosecution led by Duncan Ondimu further revealed that Gitau was being investigated for another murder incident and had been detained at the station awaiting the conclusion of investigations.
“The investigations have so far revealed that while in custody the 4th Accused (Gitau) is said to have held a position of trust among detainees at the Central Police Station, commonly referred to as Kinara hence the capacity to interfere with potential witnesses who were in remand at the material times thereby increasing the likelihood of interference and intimidation if released on bail,” Mr Justin Nyatete said in an affidavit.
Mr Talaam, alongside two other police officers- James Mukhwana and Peter Kimani, as well as Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao and Brian Mwaniki denied murdering Ojwang’ on the night of June 8 and 8, 2025, inside a cell at Central Police Station in Nairobi.
Teacher Albert Ojwang who mysteriously died in a police cell.
Immediately they denied the charge, the prosecution asked High Court judge Diana Kavedza to deny the accused persons bail, arguing that they were likely to interfere with witnesses and were also likely to flee the country, owing to the gravity of the offence.
Mr Nyatete, a principal investigations officer with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said Mr Talaam was the custodian of the station records and surveillance system (CCTV) at the time.
The official said Talaam has been serving the police force for the past 29 years and currently holds the rank of a chief inspector of police, “with full operational powers, including access to firearms, powers of arrest, and deep knowledge of police networks and procedures”.
The investigator added that Mukhwana was the day cell sentry officer, with full access to the holding cells and keys at the station.
He said Mukwana was on active duty and assigned to custody-related operations during the period when Ojwang’ was detained, making him directly implicated in the custodial chain of events.
Mr Nyatete added that they believe that Mukhwana directly participated in the unlawful acts that resulted in the death of Ojwang’.
Mr Ondimu further submitted that Kimani was the night cell sentry officer and had worked at the police station for approximately three years.
“Based on capacities of the 1st, 2nd and 3'rd Accused, they are capable of locating and interfering with civilian witnesses who were in custody at the time of the deceased's detention and subsequently meeting his gruesome death,” Mr Nyatete said in an affidavit.
The court heard that IPOA investigators discovered that the CCTV surveillance system installed in the OCS’ office had been tampered with.
Further, the investigator said the holding cells- being the primary crime scene- were interfered with, particularly the surveillance system, which was deliberately tampered with (disconnected, logs altered, and data erased), indicating obstruction and destruction of evidence.
The application was supported by a lawyer representing the victim’s (Ojwang’s) family stating that the accused persons were likely to interfere with witnesses and intimidate the junior officers and civilians who have recorded their statements with the police.
Lawyer Julius Juma submitted said Ojwang’s family were living in fear as their home was being frequented by many people since the death of their son.
A team of 15 lawyers defending the six accused persons submitted the right to bail was guaranteed by the constitution unless there were compelling reasons to deny them the right.
Mr Danstan Omari said the accused persons would abide by all the conditions given by the court as part of the bail or bond terms.
Ojwang’ was arrested following a complaint made by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat on June 4, 2025.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCl) received a formal complaint from Mr Lagat, alleging malicious and false content being circulated on X account identified as "Pixel Pioneer."
The teacher was arrested on June 7, 2025, by the DCI team at Lida Centre in Homa Bay County and taken to Nairobi where he was locked at Central police station.
Later in the night, he was found unresponsive, lying in a pool of blood inside the cell and was taken to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
