By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, July 20, 2026 - The murder trial over the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang has opened with prosecutors alleging that the former Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and five co-accused fatally assaulted him while he was in police custody before attempting to cover up the incident.
Opening its case before the High Court, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it would present evidence showing that Ojwang was brought to Central Police Station alive after his arrest but died the following morning while under police care.
"The evidence will demonstrate that the deceased entered the police station alive and that his death resulted from an unlawful assault while in custody," the prosecution told the court.
The prosecution said it would rely on testimony from Ojwang's family, police officers involved in his arrest and transfer, as well as the pathologist who conducted the post-mortem examination to establish what happened.
According to the State, the medical findings contradict the initial police account that Ojwang died after hitting his head against a wall inside the police station.
"The post-mortem evidence will establish that the injuries sustained by the deceased are inconsistent with the explanation initially given by the police," prosecutors said.
The ODPP also told the court it would present forensic and CCTV evidence to reconstruct Ojwang's movements while in custody and demonstrate alleged interference with surveillance footage after his death.
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Prosecutors argued that the evidence would show the accused acted together in assaulting Ojwang before taking deliberate steps to conceal the circumstances surrounding his death.
"This was not an accident. The evidence will show a deliberate assault followed by efforts to conceal what had occurred," the prosecution submitted.
The State further reminded the court that police officers have a legal duty to safeguard people held in custody and should be held accountable when that responsibility is breached.
Former Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam, Police Constable James Mukhwana and four other accused persons have denied the murder charges.
The High Court is expected to begin hearing witnesses as the prosecution seeks to prove its case.