Albert Ojwang murder trial: Court denies former Central OCS Talaam bail
By Zipporah Ngwatu, September 30, 2025A Nairobi High Court has denied the former Nairobi Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Kiprotich Talaam, and five others bail or bond pending the hearing and determination of their murder case.
Talaam and his co-accused in the murder of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, while he was detained at the Nairobi Central Police Station, are seeking to be released on bail or bond pending the hearing and determination of their case.
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Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Lady Justice Diana Kavedza stated that there is a high likelihood that the accused may interfere with the evidence if released on bail or bond.
Further, she noted that it is a concern that has been consistently raised by the deceased’s family and is supported by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
“The court observes that the first, second, and third accused persons are police officers who, despite their interdiction, still wield authority and influence through their training, service connection, and standing in the community,” Justice Kavedza ruled.
Notably, the judge noted that the release of the accused may lead to sparked demonstrations that were witnessed when the deceased was killed and led to loss of property and caused high tensions nationwide.
The court ordered OCS Talaam, Police Constable James Mukhwana, Peter Kimani, John Ngige Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue to be remanded in custody on July 30, 2025, after the state opposed their release on bond pending the hearing and determination of their murder trial.
Objection
The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) urged the judge to decline the request of the six accused persons to be released on bail or bond, stating that they are likely to interfere with key witnesses, some of whom are police officers.
“The accused persons have already interfered with key evidence, including CCTV footage at Central Police Station that captured the events of the night the blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang was murdered, and releasing them on bail may occasion further interference,” the prosecution told the judge.
Further, the DPP urged the court to consider the pre-bail report tendered in court by the probation officers, which is not in favour of the accused persons.
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According to the probation report, it recommends that the accused persons should not be granted bail to ensure their safety since the public is still angered by the events that led to the death of blogger Ojwang in police custody.
“My lady, the accused persons are suitable to be considered for bail or bond; however, given the current public safety and also the order situation being experienced in the country. For their own safety I recommend that the accused bail or bond be deferred to a later date when the country and the emotions are calm,” the probation report reads.
The prosecution also stated that the family of the deceased expressed their concern over the accused persons using proxies to interfere with the case if the court releases them on bail or bond.
“My lady, the family also expressed more fears after learning through the media of the resumption of duty of the complainant in the case that led to the arrest of the deceased; they view him as a person of great influence in the security,” part of the probation read.
However, the accused persons urged the court to release them on bail, saying they will comply with all the orders the court will issue.
On June 24, 2025, the six pleaded not guilty to the murder charge contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code, and a plea of not guilty was entered.