OCS Taalam Accused of Tampering with CCTV Footage in Blogger Ojwang’s Death Investigation

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has accused Central Police Station OCS Samson Taalam of interfering with crucial CCTV evidence linked to the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody.

Appearing before the Milimani Law Courts, the DPP’s office revealed that OCS Taalam allegedly instructed a technician to delete CCTV footage from June 6 and 7—key dates leading up to Ojwang’s death on June 8. According to court submissions, the footage was stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) located in Taalam’s office. The technician is said to have been paid Ksh 3,000 to carry out the deletion.

The footage in question is considered vital in piecing together the events that occurred while Ojwang was detained. His death, initially labeled as a suicide by police, has since been disputed by an independent autopsy that indicated signs of physical assault, sparking public outrage and a broader call for police accountability.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is conducting a parallel investigation, confirmed that CCTV systems at the station had been interfered with—footage wiped and file formats altered in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to cover up critical evidence.

The DPP urged the court to deny Taalam bail, citing concerns that he could obstruct investigations or intimidate witnesses due to his position and influence. The prosecution requested that the OCS be held for 21 days to allow investigators to collect witness statements, complete forensic analyses, and possibly recover deleted data.

The case has intensified public scrutiny of police conduct in Kenya and revived demands for structural reforms within law enforcement agencies. As investigations continue, the nation watches closely, with many hoping this case will mark a turning point in the fight for justice and transparency in the country’s criminal justice system.