CCTV Footage Takes Centre Stage as Albert Ojwang Murder Trial Continues at Kibera High Court
The witness explained the coverage of each camera, highlighting views of the report office, the main entrance, the corridors leading to the cells and the outer perimeter.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Natalia Chepkemboi
The murder trial of teacher and blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang entered a critical phase on Wednesday as the prosecution relied heavily on CCTV footage to reconstruct the events that led to his death at Nairobi Central Police Station.
A protected prosecution witness, who is a forensic expert attached to the case, took the Kibera High Court through hours of surveillance video captured on the night of June 7 and 8, 2025, detailing movements inside the station before and after Ojwang was booked in.
During the hearing, the witness positively identified Police Constable Peter Kimani as the officer who was on duty as the cell sentry on the material night. Footage played in court showed PC Kimani at various points within the station, including outside the cell block, along the main corridor and at the main entrance.
The witness told Justice Diana Kavedza that according to police standing orders, the cell sentry is the sole officer mandated to control access to the cells. The court heard that only authorized persons are allowed entry, including investigating officers with valid reason, suspects being booked into custody, and persons delivering food to detainees. The sentry also has powers to deny entry to any person and bears direct responsibility for any incident that occurs inside the cell block during his shift.
As the video was played, the prosecution pointed out two unidentified men captured speaking with PC Kimani at the main entrance before proceeding deeper into the station. While the witness was categorical about Kimani’s identity, she said the identities of the two men remain unknown and are subject to ongoing investigations.
The court viewed synchronized footage from multiple cameras installed around Central Police Station. The witness explained the coverage of each camera, highlighting views of the report office, the main entrance, the corridors leading to the cells and the outer perimeter. The clips are being used by the prosecution to establish a timeline of who entered and left the cell area on the night Ojwang died.
The CCTV evidence is considered the backbone of the prosecution’s case. In earlier proceedings, the court heard that footage from the station’s Digital Video Recorder (DVR) had allegedly been deleted and the device formatted between 07:28 and 07:32 on June 8, 2025, shortly after Ojwang’s death. IPOA investigators testified that the power cable to the DVR had been disconnected and that a technician had been paid Sh3,000 to interfere with the system in an attempt to conceal evidence.
Six suspects are jointly charged with the murder of Albert Ojwang. They include former Nairobi Central OCS Samson Talaam, Police Constables Peter Kimani and James Mukhwana, and three civilians. All have denied the charges and remain remanded at Nairobi Remand Prison.
The hearing continues, with the prosecution expected to call more witnesses to corroborate the CCTV timeline.
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