Six individuals, among them an OCS and three other police officers and two civilians, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
Appearing before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera High Court, the accused are seeking to be released on bail.
The suspects include interdicted Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Kiprotich Taalam, Police Constable James Mukhwana, Officer Peter Kimani, and three other suspects,John Ngige Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue.
They are accused of the brutal murder of Ojwang while he was in police custody.
Ojwang, a teacher from Kasipul Constituency in Homa Bay County, was arrested following a complaint allegedly made by Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. The complaint was reportedly linked to a social media post in which Ojwang claimed the DIG was among Kenya’s wealthiest police officers.
After his arrest, Ojwang was transported to Nairobi Central Police Station, where he is alleged to have died under suspicious circumstances, despite being in the custody of officers tasked with his protection.
The six suspects were arrested and held as investigations progressed. Following a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), they were formally charged with murder.
The prosecution has opposed their release on bail, but the defence led by prominent lawyers Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombeta, and Shadrack Wambui is vigorously arguing for their clients’ release on bond pending trial.
