It was not me. That was the firm declaration from Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central Police Station, Samson Talaam, following accusations that he was behind the death of popular influencer Albert Ojwang.
Talaam, who is now under suspension, has distanced himself from the murder allegations that have rocked Kenya and brought the police force under intense public scrutiny.
Speaking to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Wednesday, June 11, Talaam claimed he was not at the station when Ojwang was brought in and denied any wrongdoing.
He insists he only learned of Ojwang’s condition after being informed by his juniors—and that they did everything possible to save the young man’s life.
OCS Talaam Fights Back After DCI Boss Calls Him Main Suspect
In a dramatic turn, Talaam’s defense came just hours after the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohammed Amin, told the Senate that the OCS should be treated as the prime suspect in Ojwang’s death.
Amin said Talaam had refused to authorize the official booking of Ojwang when he was brought to Central Police Station on June 8, 2025.
“Before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, who declined to book the suspect,” Amin testified.
“By the totality of things, he should be treated as the prime suspect,” he added.
Amin’s remarks raised serious concerns, not just about how Ojwang died, but about the culture of impunity that appears to surround police operations in Kenya.
Talaam, however, disputes this version. He told IPOA that Ojwang was already in critical condition upon arrival and that efforts were made to take him to the hospital. According to Talaam, he arrived at the station later, only after being notified of Ojwang’s deteriorating health.
He denied obstructing or delaying Ojwang’s booking into custody, stating that the priority had shifted to saving the young man’s life once his condition was assessed.
Interdictions and Public Outrage Continue to Mount
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has since interdicted Talaam along with five other officers at Central Police Station.
Those suspended include the deputy OCS, a non-commissioned officer, the crime aid officer, a cell sentry, and report office personnel — all of whom were involved in the custody of Albert Ojwang on the night he died.
The suspensions are temporary, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations by IPOA and the DCI. Still, they show a significant shift from the usual silence that follows police-related deaths in custody.
Public anger has been boiling since the case came to light. Ojwang, a digital content creator with a growing online presence, died under murky circumstances. Early reports claimed he had been healthy and in good spirits just hours before his arrest. His death, therefore, triggered widespread disbelief and condemnation from Kenyans online and offline.
The government’s initial silence only fueled speculation, forcing the Senate to summon top police officials to explain what happened behind the walls of Central Police Station.
A System Under Fire
The tragic case of Albert Ojwang has once again exposed the cracks in Kenya’s criminal justice system. Citizens have repeatedly called for reforms to tackle rogue officers, torture in custody, and the lack of accountability for deaths occurring in police stations.
Many activists and civil rights groups are now pointing to Ojwang’s case as a tipping point — one that could finally drive legislative and operational changes within the National Police Service.
For now, OCS Talaam remains defiant. Despite being named as the main suspect by Kenya’s top detective, he insists his conscience is clear.
“I was not there. I arrived later and helped get him to the hospital,” Talaam told IPOA investigators.
But with mounting evidence, Senate pressure, and a grieving nation demanding justice, the road ahead for Talaam and his fellow officers looks increasingly uncertain.
