DETAILS EMERGE ON INTERDICTION OF NAIROBI CENTRAL OCS TALAAM AFTER OJWANG'S DEATH

Nairobi Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Talaam was interdicted following the death of 31-year-old Albert Ojwang while in police custody.

According to an interdiction letter dated 9 June 2025, Talaam has been relieved of his duties and placed on half salary pending the outcome of investigations. The letter, issued by Regional Police Commander George Sedah and copied to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, directed Talaam to surrender his certificate of appointment, government-issued kit, and vacate government housing with immediate effect.

The officer, who has served in the police service for 29 years, has also been ordered to report to Eldoret Police Station for supervision as required under section 14(9) of the National Police Service Commission Act No. 30 of 2011.

Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, was arrested at his home in Homa Bay and transferred to Nairobi, where he was booked at Central Police Station on 7 June 2025. He was later found unconscious and pronounced dead. Initial claims suggested he had injured himself by banging his head against a wall, but a post-mortem conducted on 9 June 2025 indicated that he died from strangulation and blunt force trauma.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is investigating the case to determine whether disciplinary or criminal charges will be brought against Talaam. The officer remains under interdiction until the investigations are concluded.

The case has raised questions about detainee safety and police accountability in custodial settings.