Just a day after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved murder charges against six suspects in the killing of Albert Omondi Ojwang, the case took a new turn when the accused appeared in court and pleaded not guilty.
In a dramatic session at the Kibera High Court on Tuesday, the six men among them senior officers from the Nairobi Central Police Station formally denied involvement in Ojwang’s death, which reportedly occurred on the night of June 7 to 8, 2025, within the precincts of the Central Police Station.
The suspects include Samson Talaam, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS); James Mukhwana, who was on duty as the cell sentry during the day; and Peter Kimani, who handled the night shift. Three other officers are also implicated.
The prosecution, however, urged the court not to grant bail or bond to the accused, warning that their release would put the integrity of the investigation at serious risk.
In a strongly worded submission, the DPP argued that the six, being serving police officers, possess not only access to sensitive internal systems and operational protocols but also the power to influence or manipulate the process. Their continued liberty, the court heard, could lead to witness intimidation, interference with evidence, and potential obstruction of justice.
Further complicating the case is the presence of another police officer, John Gitau, who was in custody at the Central Police Station at the time of Ojwang’s death and is himself under investigation for an unrelated murder. The prosecution linked Gitau’s detention to the ongoing probe, suggesting that the environment in which Ojwang died was already steeped in questionable activity.
According to the DPP, all signs point to a coordinated cover-up and a risk that those charged could leverage their positions and connections within the police service to frustrate the case if released.
The murder of Albert Ojwang has stirred public outcry and amplified concerns over police accountability, especially in cases involving internal misconduct. With the suspects now in the dock and the prosecution pushing back hard against bail, the court proceedings are set to be closely watched as the search for justice continues.
