Safaricom is Ordered by Court to Restore SIM Line of Ex-Nairobi Central OCS in Claims Misused by IPOA.
He maintained that he had no control over the device at the time the calls were allegedly made.
Former Nairobi Central Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Taalam.Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
A Milimani court has directed the telecommunications company Safaricom to allow former Nairobi Central Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Taalam to replace and reactivate his mobile phone line, because he made a complaint that he was unable to do so without a court directive. According to Taalam, the company has blocked his attempts to renew the SIM card due to the unavailability of a formal court order before proceeding.
The matter was heard before Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii, where Taalam’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, explained that the complainant had tried many times to replace the SIM card without success because he did not have access to the mobile line. According to Omari, it was Safaricom’s position that it could only permit the replacement once Taalam had obtained an order from the court. Counsel argued that the request was justified, as Taalam needed to regain control of his phone number, which he claimed had been misused after his handset was taken by investigators.
Magistrate Nyaguthii agreed with the defence and allowed the application, thus directing Safaricom to immediately renew and replace Taalam’s mobile line. Restoration of access to the number was viewed by the court as necessitated by the circumstances presented.
The order was issued while Taalam continued giving testimony in a case in which he alleges that officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) abused their authorities by using his seized phone to ask money from his relatives and close associates while he was under custody.
In his testimony, Taalam told the courtroom that he was arrested on Friday, June 13, 2025, and remanded. IPOA officers demanded his mobile phone two days later on Sunday as part of their inquiries. He stated that he voluntarily handed over the device and supplied the PIN codes to unlock it, assuming it would be for official use only.
Taalam further testified that on being presented before a miscellaneous application court, one of his relatives contacted him with very disturbing news. The relative alleged that some unknown individuals were calling to solicit money for the success of his bail application. Taalam stated that the cowards were demanding different sums of money, ranging between KSh 10,000 to as high as KSh 80,000, all in the claim that the payments would buy their freedom.
Concerned about the allegations, Taalam told the court that he lodged a formal complaint, insisting that his mobile phone had been used without his consent. He maintained that he had no control over the device at the time the calls were allegedly made.
He testified that two IPOA officers had also taken a photocopy of his national identity card, being Jibril and Njihia, whom he further claimed were involved in handling his personal items during the investigation.
The case continues as the court examines claims about the alleged misuse of Taalam’s phone and the circumstances surrounding the handling of his property while he was in custody.
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