A forensic report tabled before Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi has uncovered a coordinated fraud scheme involving the cloning of a SIM card belonging to former OCS Central Police Station, Samson Kiprotich Taalam while he was in custody.
Presenting the report, Inspector Moses Adeli revealed that the fraudulent SIM swap was executed between June 16 and June 17, 2025, by a suspect identified as Rono Kiprotich Brian. Forensic analysis showed that a new device (IMEI) and a different SIM identity (IMSI) were activated in the same location where the replacement occurred, confirming both a SIM swap and a device change.
Further investigations between June 17 and 19, 2025, established that the SIM card was subsequently inserted into another device, which was then used to make calls and transact on mobile money platforms including online lending applications. Notably, the IMSI detected on June 16 remained consistent, indicating the SIM had been cloned and was now in unauthorized use.
Inspector Adeli told the court that at least three different devices were used within the three-day window a tactic believed to be aimed at evading detection.
Significantly, the court heard that all this occurred while OCS Taalam was in lawful custody, making it clear that any communications or financial activity linked to his number during that time were the work of third parties.
The cloned SIM card is also part of an ongoing probe by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) concerning the death of teacher Albert Ojwang’.
The suspect, Rono Kiprotich Brian, was arrested on July 20 in Embakasi Pipeline. During the arrest, police recovered three mobile phones, 29 used SIM cards, and 13 unused SIM cards which are yet to undergo full forensic analysis. Authorities believe Rono may have been working with accomplices who are still at large.
On Monday, the suspect was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) requested 14 days to complete the probe.
Following the presentation of the forensic report, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) applied for closure of the inquiry file to allow the DCI to formally present a case.
Magistrate Ekhubi directed that former OCS Taalam now record a statement as the complainant in the matter.
