A Milimani court has directed Safaricom to allow former Nairobi Central Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Taalam to renew and regain control of his mobile phone line after he complained that the service provider declined to replace his SIM card without a court order. The order was issued by Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii following an application by Taalam, who told the court that he had been unable to replace his SIM card despite repeated attempts.
Lawyer Says Court Order Was Required
Appearing before the court, Taalam’s lawyer explained that Safaricom allegedly insisted on a formal court directive before processing the SIM replacement. Counsel argued that the order was necessary to help Taalam secure his mobile number, which he claims was misused after it was seized by investigators. Magistrate Nyaguthii allowed the application and directed the telecommunications firm to facilitate the renewal of the mobile phone line without further delay.
Allegations of Phone Misuse While in Custody
The court order came as Taalam continued giving testimony in a case in which he accuses officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) of misusing his seized phone to solicit money from his relatives and associates while he was in custody. Taalam testified that he was arrested on Friday, June 13, 2025, and placed in custody. Two days later, on Sunday, IPOA officers requested his mobile phone for investigative purposes. He told the court that he handed over the device voluntarily, including the PINs required to unlock it.
Claims of Extortion Using Seized Phone
According to Taalam, after he was presented in court on a miscellaneous application, one of his relatives informed him that unknown individuals had been calling and demanding money in exchange for facilitating his release on bail. He alleged that the callers asked for varying amounts ranging from Ksh.10,000 to Ksh.80,000, claiming the payments would secure his freedom.
Disturbed by the claims, the former OCS said he filed formal complaints, insisting that his phone was being used without his consent. He testified that the phone and a photocopy of his national identity card were taken by two IPOA officers, whom he identified as Jibril and Njihia. He maintained that the phone was handed over strictly for investigative purposes.
Case Linked to Albert Ojwang’s Death
Taalam’s phone was seized as part of investigations into the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher-turned-blogger who died while in custody at the Central Police Station on June 8, 2025. The matter is scheduled to be mentioned on March 25, 2026, for further directions before the Milimani Law Courts.
