The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has filed a strong objection to a petition by Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Taalam, who is seeking to halt his prosecution in connection with the murder of blogger Albert Ojwang.
In its replying affidavit submitted, IPOA argues that Taalam’s attempt to stop the criminal proceedings is a blatant abuse of court process, aimed at shielding himself from accountability in the fatal incident that occurred at Central Police Station.
Taalam, alongside other officers, is facing charges in the Kibera High Court in case number HCCR E010 of 2025 for the alleged murder of Ojwang. The blogger was reportedly tortured to death while in police custody a case that sparked public outrage and renewed calls for police accountability.
IPOA, listed as the 6th Respondent in the petition, insists that the prosecution is based on credible and independently gathered evidence. The authority says it launched investigations upon receiving a complaint and subsequently recommended the prosecution after establishing reasonable grounds linking the officer to the crime.
“The petition is a disguised attempt to subvert justice and stop an active criminal process where the petitioner has already been charged with murder,” IPOA stated in part.
IPOA further emphasized that allowing the petition would set a dangerous precedent, effectively creating immunity for public officers implicated in serious crimes like torture and extrajudicial killings.
The authority is urging the court to dismiss the petition in its entirety and allow the criminal trial at Kibera Law Courts to proceed unhindered.
