NAIROBI, Kenya, September 30, 2025 – The High Court has declined to grant bail to former Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Kiprotich Talaam, constable James Mukhwana, and four co-accused in the high-profile murder case of blogger Albert Ojwang.
Justice Diana Kadveza ruled that Talaam, Mukhwana, Peter Kimani, and civilians John Ginge Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue will remain in custody until key witnesses testify.
Bail Application Rejected
The defence had urged the court to release the accused on bail, citing their constitutional rights under Article 49. However, Justice Kadveza stressed that while bail is a constitutional right, it is not absolute.
“The gravity of the offence of murder coupled with the high profiles of the accused increase the likelihood of absconding trial,” the judge noted.
She added that fears of witness interference, particularly within the police force, were genuine and not speculative. The court also highlighted the risk of tampering with CCTV footage central to the investigation.
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Defence Arguments Dismissed
Lawyers for the accused argued that no evidence had been presented to show interference with witnesses or tampering with records. They also pointed out that some of the officers had been interdicted, reducing their ability to influence proceedings.
The court disagreed, ruling that despite interdiction, the accused still held connections and influence capable of undermining the criminal justice process.
Public Outcry and National Concern
Ojwang’s killing on the night of June 7–8, 2025, at the Nairobi Central Police Station, sparked nationwide protests and condemnation from rights groups.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said the case raised serious concerns about police accountability, while Amnesty International called for independent investigations.
Justice Kadveza described the case as one of significant public concern, requiring careful balancing of justice and order. She ruled that public interest outweighed the accused’s personal liberty at this stage.
Key Witnesses to Testify
The court directed that the accused remain in custody until witnesses based at Nairobi Central Police Station testify.
This approach, Justice Kadveza said, ensures the integrity of the trial.
The case is scheduled to proceed later this week with the testimony of crucial police witnesses.
The Road Ahead
Kenya’s judiciary has faced mounting pressure to ensure accountability in police-related killings. In recent years, cases involving officers accused of extrajudicial killings have drawn attention from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and international observers, including Human Rights Watch.
