Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a probe into the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and declared its offices a crime scene.

This follows allegations that a mobile phone seized from Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Talam was used to defraud the public while in IPOA’s custody.

The phone, which belonged to Talam, is at the centre of a new twist in the murder investigation of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.

Talam was arrested on June 13 in connection with Ojwang’s custodial death and has since been held at Lang’ata Police Station.

During the arrest, IPOA investigators confiscated Talam’s phone along with its password for forensic analysis.

But what was initially routine evidence handling has now escalated into a criminal inquiry after lawyer Danstan Omari, acting for Talam, said the seized phone was used to send text messages requesting money from several individuals, including high-profile lawyer Cliff Ombeta, a member of the defence team.

The messages allegedly solicited up to KSh 80,000 while falsely claiming Talam was in urgent need of funds.

"The IPOA offices are now part of a crime scene. The DCI knows what must be done," Omari said, accusing the oversight body of failing to safeguard key evidence.

A forensic officer has already testified to witnessing the phone’s seizure, strengthening claims that the device had not left IPOA’s possession when the suspicious activity began.

Following these revelations, IPOA formally wrote to the DCI requesting an independent investigation.

"We wrote a letter to the DCI requesting them to institute investigations," confirmed IPOA director Victor Awiti.

He added that the DCI has taken over the probe and is already working on compiling a full report.

Two witnesses have since recorded statements with the DCI and investigators are expected to determine whether IPOA officials or any third party accessed the phone.

Omari has called for IPOA officials involved in handling the phone to be suspended to allow for an impartial investigation.

However, Awiti rejected the demand, arguing that there is a clear constitutional process for removing IPOA officials, and no evidence so far justifies such action.

How was Talam arrested?

Earlier, Omari confirmed he would represent Talam in connection with the death of the blogger, dismissing rumours that Talam was arrested in Eldoret.

Omari clarified that Talam surrendered at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi on June 13, recorded his statement, and was subsequently transferred to IPOA and then to Lang’ata Police Station.

He emphasised that Talam remains in good health and under proper custody.

Source: TUKO.co.ke