DCI boss Mohamed Amin has explained why he believes Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Taalam should be treated as the prime suspect in the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody.

Amin said Taalam is linked to a questionable suicide narrative and failed to book the suspect at the station.

"The statement of Albert Ojwang banging his head on the wall came from Central Police Station, and he’s the Officer Commanding Central Police Station," Amin told the Senate on Wednesday.

"Why would an officer call him with such a narrative? That’s why I said that whatever utterances the OCS Taalam is making, we should treat them with a pinch of salt. We should treat them as suspect, of course. Why would somebody coin that all?"

Amin said evidence gathered so far shows that Taalam was informed when Ojwang was brought in, but declined to book him. He told the Senate that this alone raises serious questions about the OCS’s role.

"It has further been confirmed that before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, and unfortunately, it is being said that he declined to book the suspect," Amin said.

He added, "Taalam is the Officer Commanding Central Police Station, and from the totality of things, he should be treated as the prime suspect in the matter."

Ojwang died on June 7, sparking public anger and a formal probe by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).