Brian Rono faces bail hearing over phone hacking linked to Talaam

Rono, already charged and currently in custody, informed the court during a Tuesday mention that he intended to apply for bond.
A Nairobi court has directed the preparation of a pre-bail report for Brian Rono, who faces computer fraud charges related to an alleged attempt to extort the former Central Police Station officer in charge, Samson Talaam, through his mobile phone.
The directive came from Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Carolyne Mugo following a prosecution request for three days to compile the report.
Rono, already charged and currently in custody, informed the court during a Tuesday mention that he intended to apply for bond. He assured the court he would attend all future hearings if granted bail.
He also requested to be taken to a hospital for a medical check-up, citing his asthma condition. Additionally, Rono said police took his phone when he was arrested.
The lawyer for former OCS Talaam, Danstan Omari, supported the prosecution’s call for the short delay, describing it as reasonable.
The prosecution further noted that the issue concerning the confiscated phones would be handled during the next court appearance.
Magistrate Mugo set the next hearing date for August 19 and ordered the investigating officer to appear in court to explain the circumstances of the phone seizure. She also instructed that Rono be taken to a medical facility for treatment.
Rono is accused of hacking Talaam’s phone, a device currently undergoing forensic examination by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Talaam is also under suspicion in the murder case of blogger Albert Ojwang. Investigators allege that Rono interfered with the phone, which is critical evidence in the ongoing murder investigation.