The High Court in Kibera has directed the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to provide defense lawyers with CCTV footage related to the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang. Ojwang was killed on the night of June 7/8, 2025, in a cell at Central Police Station after his arrest on charges of spreading defamatory information against Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. Judge Diana Kavedza emphasized the footage's importance to ensure the case proceeds swiftly and justly.
In her ruling, Judge Diana Kavedza stated that the CCTV videos are crucial for the case, adding that without them, proceedings cannot advance. “Everyone wants to know what happened before Ojwang was killed,” the judge said, stressing that the evidence would help defense lawyers present their arguments effectively. Six lawyers, led by Danstan Omari, informed the judge that IPOA had not yet provided copies of the footage from that night.
Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger from Homa Bay County, was arrested by police while having lunch with his wife and parents. Officers abducted him and took him to Nairobi for questioning over allegations of spreading defamatory information about Lagat on social media. However, that same night, he was killed in a cell at Central Police Station.
Samson Talam, the former Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central, along with James Mukhwana, Peter Kimani, John Ngige Gitau, Jim Ambao, and Brian Njue, face charges in the murder. The prosecution plans to call 28 witnesses, but the judge suggested reducing the number to expedite the trial, referencing her experience in the Shakahola case where she handled evidence from 100 people in 22 days. Judge Kavedza warned both sides to minimize time and questions to ensure the case concludes promptly.
