Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam has officially been interdicted following the death of 31-year-old teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody under unclear circumstances.

The interdiction letter, dated June 9, 2025, states that Talaam will now receive half salary pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Talaam was suspended from duty after Ojwang was found unconscious at the Central Police Station, where he had been held after being transferred from Homa Bay.

He later died, with an autopsy revealing that the cause of death was strangulation and blunt force trauma, contrary to earlier claims that he had injured himself.

The interdiction was signed by Regional Police Commander George Sedah and copied to the Deputy Inspector General of Police. “By the reason of this interdiction, your appointment as a police officer shall not cease, but powers, privileges and benefits shall be suspended. You shall continue to be subjected to the discipline and penalties provided under the National Police Service Act 11 of 2014 as if you had not been interdicted,” reads the letter.

Talaam has also been instructed to surrender all government-issued equipment and his police certificate of appointment to the subcounty quartermaster.

The letter further directs him to pay for any missing or unreturned items.

“By a copy of this letter, you are required to surrender your certificate of appointment and all items of government and police kit issued to you, to subcounty quartermaster stores and pay for any deficiency (ies) noted,” the letter reads.

In addition to being stripped of official duties, Talaam has been ordered to vacate the government house he occupies.

The letter invokes section 14(9) of Legal Notice No. 90 of the National Police Service Commission Act No. 30 of 2011, directing the subcounty Police Commander for Central to instruct Talaam to move to his permanent residence, where he will be expected to report for accountability.

He has been reassigned to Eldoret Police Station, where he will remain under supervision during the period of interdiction. Talaam has served in the National Police Service for 29 years.

Ojwang, who was first arrested in Homa Bay and booked at Mawego Police Station, was later transferred to Nairobi. He was held at Central Police Station on June 7, 2025, under OB number 136/7/6/2025, before being found unresponsive in the cell.

The incident is now under investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), as authorities continue to assess whether disciplinary or criminal charges will be filed against Talaam.