The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has told the High Court that former Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam, together with five co-accused officers, allegedly assaulted Albert Omondi Ojwang leading to his death, before attempting to conceal what had happened.
In its opening statement, the prosecution emphasized that Ojwang was alive and in good condition when he was brought to Central Police Station following his arrest. However, he was found dead the next morning while still under police custody, raising serious concerns about the conduct of the officers responsible for his safety. The DPP stressed that the officers had a legal duty to protect him during detention.
Prosecution to Present Key Evidence
The court heard that the prosecution will present a series of witnesses and evidence aimed at establishing what transpired. These include:
- Testimony from Ojwang’s family members, who are expected to confirm he was physically well prior to his arrest
- Statements from the officers involved in his arrest and transportation to the station
- Findings from the pathologist who conducted the post-mortem examination
According to prosecutors, medical evidence will show that Ojwang suffered injuries that contradict the initial police claim that he died after hitting his head against a wall.
The prosecution also plans to rely on forensic experts and CCTV analysis to reconstruct Ojwang’s movements inside the station. The court was told that this evidence may reveal possible tampering or interference with surveillance footage after Ojwang’s death.
The DPP argued that the accused acted both individually and collectively in what it described as an unlawful act that resulted in Ojwang’s death. It further alleged that there were deliberate efforts to conceal the truth surrounding the incident. Prosecutors maintained that Ojwang’s death was not accidental, but rather a deliberate act of violence.
The prosecution underscored the constitutional right of every Kenyan to safety while in police custody, insisting that law enforcement officers must be held accountable for any misuse of authority. Meanwhile, Samson Talaam and the five co-accused have denied all the murder charges brought against them.
