Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam (centre) is escorted by police officers before his arraignment at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on June 16, 2025.
Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin has until July 22 to complete investigations into allegations that a mobile phone belonging to Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam is being used to solicit funds from members of the public.
Talaam is facing charges for the murder of teacher-cum-blogger Albert Ojwang, who had been detained at the station over a cybercrime offence.
When the case came up for mention before Milimani Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi, the court was informed that the DCI needed more time to finalise investigations before presenting a report to the court.
Read: Albert Ojwang's father recounts last moments before ‘friendly’ DCI officers took his son from home
On June 20, 2025, Senior Assistant Director of Investigations at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa), Abdirahman Jibril, informed the court that the authority had formally written to the DCI requesting an investigation into claims that Talaam’s confiscated phone was being used to solicit funds from the public.
The magistrate had summoned Mr Jibril to appear in court over allegations of misconduct regarding the handling of Talaam’s mobile phone, which was in Ipoa’s custody after he was charged with murder.
Lawyer Danstan Omari at a past press briefing.
The summons followed a heated session during which defence lawyers Danstan Omari, Stanley Kangai and Cliff Ombeta raised concerns that Talaam’s phone—while allegedly under Ipoa custody—was being misused.
“Your Honour, we have credible evidence that individuals, including respected lawyer Mr Ombeta, have received messages from Talaam’s number requesting money,” said Mr Omari.
He told the court that lawyer Ombeta was contacted by an unidentified individual using Talaam’s number, asking for Sh80,000.
“The phone is being used to raise funds with claims that the OCS is in trouble and needs financial assistance,” Omari added.
He further noted that the messages appear to be part of a broader fraudulent scheme, saying even family members of the OCS have received distressing messages from the same number despite the fact that the device is supposedly under Ipoa’s secure custody.
“This is a serious matter. The authority’s officials are the custodians of that phone and its passwords. If it’s being used to swindle Kenyans while under their watch, someone must be held accountable. We ask the court to summon Ipoa commissioners,” Mr Omari urged.
In response, Magistrate Ekhubi ordered Mr Jibril to appear in person to explain the phone’s custody and the alleged misuse.
“These are grave allegations. The integrity of constitutional offices must not be brought into question. Mr Jibril must appear and explain how a phone in Ipoa’s custody could be used in this way,” ruled the magistrate.
Mr Omari said that the defence had initially not objected to Ipoa’s request to take custody of the phone, out of respect for the institution’s constitutional mandate.
“It was Ipoa that fought tooth and nail to access that phone. We did not oppose them. But if that trust has been violated, then the leadership must be held accountable,” he added.
The defence has indicated it will press for the appearance of senior Ipoa officials in court if Mr Jibril’s explanation is unsatisfactory.
Lawyer Cliff Ombeta.
Lawyer Ombeta confirmed to the court that he indeed received a request for funds from Talaam’s number.
“I was shocked. I know there’s an ongoing investigation into my client’s phone, but when I received a message asking for Sh80,000 to ‘rescue’ the OCS, I knew something was very wrong. That number should not be in use—let alone for fraud,” Ombeta stated.
