The High Court has refused to grant bail to former Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Kiprotich Talaam and five co-accused persons charged with the killing of a blogger inside the station.
Delivering her ruling at the Kibera Law Courts, Justice Diana Kadveza ordered that the six remain in custody until witnesses stationed at the Nairobi Central Police Station testify. She said the risk of interference with key witnesses, particularly those still serving in the police service, was both real and compelling.
The court noted that although the first and second accused had been interdicted, they retained influence and connections capable of undermining the criminal justice process. Justice Kadveza highlighted concerns of possible tampering with CCTV footage and emphasized that these risks were not speculative but grounded in genuine fears.
While acknowledging that bail is a constitutional right under Article 49, the judge stressed that it is not absolute. “The gravity of the offence of murder, coupled with the high profile of the accused, increases the likelihood of absconding trial,” she said.
The defence had argued that no evidence had been tabled to demonstrate potential interference with witnesses or destruction of evidence. However, Justice Kadveza held that public interest and national security outweighed the personal liberty of the accused at this stage.
The incident that led to the charges triggered nationwide outrage and protests, with the court describing it as a matter of significant public concern requiring careful balancing between justice and order.
As a result, the bail application was dismissed, and the accused will remain in custody until key witnesses from the Central Police Station have testified.
