Ojwang murder case: LSK granted limited access to ex-OCS Talam’s medical records
Former Central Police Station OCS Samson Talam at the Milimani Law courts on July 22, 2025.
The High Court has allowed Law Society of Kenya (LSK) limited access to evidence presented in the ongoing murder trial against former Central Police Station commander Samson Talam.
Mr Talam has denied killing a teacher cum blogger Albert Ojwang on June 8, 2025, while in police custody.
During the proceedings on Thursday at the Kibera High Court, the LSK through its representative sought to be supplied with medical documents.
The request, however, elicited a heated contest from the prosecution.
Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gikui Gichuhi expressed reservations about releasing the sought documents forcing the trial the judge to intervene and clarify the extent of the access to be granted.
While allowing the LSK’s request, the court observed that the lawyers’ body represented public interest in such proceedings.
The court, however, clarified that only reasonable access to evidence would be allowed and not all evidentiary documents in the prosecution’s possession.
"They can be granted reasonable access to evidence but not all evidence," the court stated.
The court also heard from counsel representing one of the accused that he has since been discharged from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where he had been admitted for treatment.
The court had previously adjourned the hearing that was scheduled to begin April to allow Talam seek specialised medical treatment.
Through his lawyer, he informed the court that he had been unwell in recent weeks and required urgent medical assessment and tests by specialists at the national referral hospital.
The prosecution did not oppose the application at the time, and the court granted the request, directing that Talam be escorted to KNH for medication
The court directed that a medical report be filed upon completion of the examination.
Following his discharge the trial court directed that the medical documents be supplied to the court and be made available to the DPP.
A photo of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody.
Fresh hearing dates have now been set to begin from July 20, 2026, when the first lot of witnesses is expected to testify in the case.
Ojwang died at Central Police Station after being arrested in his Homa Bay home by DCI officers following a complaint over a social media post by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Langat.
Ojwang's death sparked sporadic public protests and renewed scrutiny over deaths in police custody.
Talam and four other accused persons are facing murder charges in connection with his death.
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