NAIROBI, KENYA – In a significant move toward judicial accountability, the High Court has ordered a five-day “marathon” hearing in the murder trial of former Nairobi Central OCS Samson Talam and five other police officers. The group stands accused of the 2025 killing of teacher and social media blogger Albert Ojwang while he was being held in police custody.
The case, which sparked widespread public outrage and nationwide protests regarding police conduct, is now fast-tracked for a resolution.
Push for Swift Justice
High Court Judge Diana Kavedza emphasized the immense public interest surrounding the case during a recent pre-trial conference. Highlighting the need to avoid further delays, the judge warned that if the trial did not proceed in early 2026, the court’s schedule would push the matter back until at least September.
The court has officially designated late March for the full hearing. Justice Kavedza directed all legal teams to strictly adhere to case management rules, demanding that both the prosecution and defense prioritize these dates to ensure the trial proceeds without interruption.
A Fatal Arrest
The victim, 31-year-old Albert Ojwang, was a teacher and a vocal blogger who was arrested on June 8, 2025. He was taken into custody at the Nairobi Central Police Station over allegations of making defamatory social media posts concerning a high-ranking police official.
While initial police reports suggested that Ojwang’s injuries were self-inflicted—claiming he had struck his head against a cell wall—a subsequent post-mortem examination told a different story. The medical report concluded that Ojwang died from physical assault, contradicting the official police narrative and leading to the arrest of the officers involved.
Key Evidence to be Scrutinized
Central to the upcoming trial is CCTV footage from the Nairobi Central Police Station recorded on the night of the incident. The court has ordered that the original footage be provided to the defense team to ensure a transparent and fair trial.
Justice Kavedza has urged the prosecution to be efficient with their evidence and witnesses, stressing that the quality of the testimony is more important than the quantity.
As Kenya prepares for this landmark trial, the proceedings are being viewed as a critical test for the country’s justice system and its ability to hold law enforcement officers accountable for the safety and human rights of detainees.
