He arrived alive in Subaru, but...: CCTV reveals Albert Ojwang's final hours at Central's cell of death

Former OCS Samson Talaam and co-accused at the Kibera law courts on July 21, 2026 during the murder trial of blogger Albert Ojwang. [David Gichuru,Standard]

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Tuesday presented chilling CCTV evidence detailing the final hours of teacher Albert Ojwang before he was allegedly murdered at Nairobi's Central Police Station.

According to Joshua Mutua, IPOA's Head of Forensics, the footage captured Ojwang arriving at the station alive and walking normally before later being removed from the cells unresponsive.

Ojwang had been brought to the station on the night of June 6, 2025, in a black Subaru Outback belonging to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after allegations that he had defamed Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

"As per the footage, we will be able to demonstrate that Albert Ojwang arrived while able to walk within Central Police Station and is seen making phone calls within the station,” Mutua told the court. “By the time Albert left the police station, he was unresponsive."

Mutua explained that CCTV footage from both Central Police Station and Mbagathi Hospital enabled investigators to reconstruct events from Ojwang's arrival to the moment his body was removed.

He said the footage captured numerous police officers, civilians and detainees, but investigators had identified at least 16 persons of interest — 10 officers stationed at Central Police Station and six officers who brought Ojwang to the station in the black Subaru.

The station layout

Mutua explained that investigators reconstructed the events using the station’s layout, which includes the front office, a report office, a petty crimes office, and a holding area leading to the cells. One of the cells, located next to the detainees’ toilet, became the focal point of the investigation and was referred to in court as the “Ojwang cell”.

The footage showed Police Constable James Mukhwana arriving at 5.32pm dressed in blue trousers and a striped bomber jacket. At 7.04pm, Mukhwana and Constable Samuel Nganga entered the office of Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Talam.

Later, Constable Peter Kimani and Constable Everlyn Kanyiri were seen joining Mukhwana in the front office.

At about 8.06pm, a bearded man arrived on a motorcycle and appeared to speak with Mukhwana. A few minutes later, Mukhwana was seen receiving what looked like a padlock from Constable John Ngige.

Activity around the cells

At 9.19pm, Mukhwana was seen pointing toward the cell area while speaking to Ngige. Three minutes later, the black Subaru arrived at the station.

Ngige opened a cell and called out detainee Gin Ammitou Abwao, and together with Mukhwana they proceeded to the cell next to the toilet — the cell where Ojwang would later be held.

CCTV footage shows Albert Ojwang inside the cells of Central Police Station being pushed by four men into one of the cells.

At exactly 9.23pm, Ojwang arrived wearing a blue sports jersey, beige trousers and beige open shoes. He was accompanied by six men.

One of the officers handed him a red jumper and removed his handcuffs. Throughout the process, Ojwang was seen talking on his phone.

He was escorted to the front office, where he sat for about 15 minutes alongside Kimani and Mukhwana. The Subaru then left the station.

Mutua told the court that the footage showed Ojwang still moving freely and appearing physically well at this stage.

Change of clothes

Later in the night, Mukhwana and the bearded man were seen entering a changing room in a separate block. Mukhwana re-emerged in civilian clothes: a bomber jacket, black trousers, black shoes and a white T-shirt.

The two men returned to the cell area, where Kimani opened the door leading to the holding cells.

The critical moments

At about 10.43pm, Mukhwana and the bearded man entered the cell next to the toilet and stayed briefly before returning to the holding bay.

Three minutes later, four people were captured dragging Ojwang from the cell area. Mutua identified Mukhwana, the bearded man, and another individual wearing clothing marked with the number 18 among those involved.

Inside a nearby cell, another detainee, identified as Brian Muriuki, was seen climbing onto the cell door and peering through the grill toward the scene.

The footage then showed heightened activity around the Ojwang cell. A man carrying a small yellow jerrycan entered the toilet area and then returned to the cell. Ngige was later seen using his phone to illuminate the inside of the cell.

Blood cleaned from the floor

Shortly after midnight, Nganga approached the same cell while talking on a phone.

At around 12.37am, four uniformed officers wearing gloves entered the cell. OCS Talam then arrived with three other officers, briefly inspected the area, and left.

A few minutes later, Talam returned with four officers wearing gloves. They lifted Ojwang’s body and carried it toward the holding area.

The man wearing a Maasai shuka was seen following behind, wiping what appeared to be blood from the floor using a rug.

Meanwhile, a police Land Cruiser reversed toward the building, and its rear door was opened, partially blocking the entrance.

Mutua testified that Talam was seen holding the officers’ firearms and handing one of them an additional pair of gloves before they proceeded to the vehicle.

Body loaded into police vehicle

At 1.23am on June 8, 2025, the officers loaded Ojwang’s lifeless body into the police vehicle and drove away.

“The footage shows that Ojwang arrived alive, walking and communicating, and later left the station while unresponsive,” Mutua told the court.

The murder trial is continuing.

Those charged are OCS Samson Talam, Police Constables James Mukhwana, Peter Kimani and John Ngige, as well as Gin Ammitou Abwao and Brian Muriuki.