The head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, has identified Samson Taalam, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, as the primary suspect in the investigation into the murder of social media influencer Albert Ojwang. This revelation, made during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, has intensified public demands for accountability.
Suspicious Actions Raise Red Flags
DCI Amin revealed that investigations point to significant misconduct on the part of OCS Taalam. According to Amin, Taalam declined to book Ojwang when he was brought to the station, a decision that raises serious questions about his involvement in the case.
“It has been confirmed that the report office personnel contacted the OCS prior to booking Ojwang, and unfortunately, Taalam refused to proceed with the booking,” Amin stated during the Senate session. “Given the totality of the evidence, Taalam should be treated as the prime suspect in this matter.”
Timeline and Transportation Details
Contrary to earlier reports, Amin clarified the timeline of events leading to Ojwang’s death. The influencer was initially detained at Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay County on Saturday afternoon before being transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station later the same day.
“The vehicle used to transport the deceased from Homa Bay to Nairobi was a DCI vehicle. Using GPS tracking, we confirmed that the vehicle traveled directly to Central Police Station,” Amin explained. “Ojwang was booked at Mawego Police Station at 4:00 PM and later at Central Police Station at 9:32 PM.”
Dismissing Torture Allegations
The DCI boss refuted claims that Ojwang was tortured during the journey, insisting that the deceased appeared normal upon arrival in Nairobi. Amin also highlighted that the suspect’s booking details were captured digitally, eliminating the possibility of manual record tampering.
“The suspect appeared normal upon arrival and was placed in the cells without incident. This was recorded digitally, leaving no room for human interference,” Amin stated. “Additionally, Ojwang was allowed to speak with his wife during his time at the station.”
Amin further stated that Ojwang was treated humanely during the transfer, even receiving refreshments during a stop in Narok.
Discrepancies and Public Outrage
The timeline of Ojwang’s detention and subsequent death has fueled public outrage. Sources within the police station allege that the blogger was booked in while bleeding and bearing severe injuries, with the word “sick” notably recorded in his details. Ojwang was declared dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital at 1:39 AM, just hours after being logged at Central Police Station.
This case continues to spark widespread demands for justice and accountability as the investigation unfolds.
