“The cause of death is very clear; head injury, neck compression and other injuries spread all over the body that are pointing towards assault.” -State pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia
NAIROBI, Kenya – June 14, 2025 – The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Nairobi Central Police Station, Samson Talaam, was dramatically arrested yesterday over the murder of social media influencer Albert Ojwang.
The arrest, following a day-long manhunt, brings to three the number of individuals now in custody over Ojwang’s death, an incident that has ignited nationwide outrage and renewed scrutiny on police conduct.
Talaam, who investigators allege had attempted to evade capture by switching off his mobile phone, was apprehended and handed over to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for further processing. He is considered a prime suspect, with multiple witnesses and other detainees reportedly implicating him in IPOA’s ongoing probe.
A Death Shrouded in Suspicion
Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old digital creator and teacher, was arrested at his home in Homa Bay on allegations of publishing false information, reportedly critical of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, on social media platforms. He was then transferred over 350 kilometers to Nairobi and booked at Central Police Station. What followed was a tragic chain of events that has shaken the nation’s faith in its law enforcement.
Initial police reports claimed Ojwang “sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall” and was later found unconscious, succumbing to his injuries upon arrival at the hospital. However, this narrative quickly crumbled under public pressure and a subsequent independent autopsy.
State pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia, who led a team of five pathologists, delivered a damning report, stating, “The cause of death is very clear; head injury, neck compression and other injuries spread all over the body that are pointing towards assault.” Dr. Midia explicitly refuted the police’s initial claims, adding, “There were also multiple soft tissue injuries spread all over the body, including the head, neck, upper limbs and the trunk and lower limbs… these were injuries that were externally inflicted.” He further noted signs of a struggle, concluding that the injuries were consistent with “external assault.”
Voices of Outrage and Calls for Justice
The revelation of Ojwang’s brutal death in custody has sparked widespread condemnation from various quarters, leading to mass protests in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, facing immense pressure, was forced to retract the initial police statement, offering an unprecedented apology: “I tender my apology on behalf of the National Police Service for that misinformation.” He confirmed that several officers on duty at the time of Ojwang’s death had been interdicted, pending investigations.
However, civil society and opposition leaders remain unconvinced by piecemeal actions. Ms. Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), mincing no words, stated, “The autopsy report clearly showed that Albert Ojwang had been tortured and brutally murdered in police custody. We will continue to pile pressure until every single officer involved is held personally liable. We won’t accept more excuses.”
Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned Ojwang’s “horrifying” death, asserting, “It adds to a long list of young and defenceless Kenyans whose lives have been taken too soon, in brutal and senseless circumstances, at the hands of the police.” He called for comprehensive police reforms and an end to impunity.
President William Ruto on Friday pledged swift action, stating that his administration would “protect citizens from rogue police officers” and that “negligence or outright criminality” that contributed to Ojwang’s death was “heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
The Cover-Up Unravels
IPOA’s investigation has already uncovered attempts to cover up the incident. It has been revealed that CCTV systems at the Central Police Station were interfered with, and a technician has since been arrested, admitting to being paid KSh 3,000 to delete and format footage from the night Ojwang died. Some of the 17 officers initially questioned have reportedly returned to IPOA to revise their statements, providing new information.
The arrest of OCS Talaam, alongside Police Constable James Mukhwana and the technician, signifies a concerted effort by investigators to unearth the full truth behind Albert Ojwang’s tragic demise. As the nation watches keenly, the demand for justice for Albert Ojwang and an end to police brutality echoes through the streets of Kenya.