High Court Schedules Key Hearing Dates for Albert Ojwang Murder Trial
The High Court in Kibera has fixed specific dates in March for the trial of six suspects accused in the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody last June. The move comes as the court pushes to finalize the high-profile case before the end of March.
Justice Diana Kavedza issued the directive on Tuesday, stressing the strong public interest in the matter and the importance of resolving it quickly and fairly. The scheduled hearing days are March 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31, 2026.
During the session, the judge ordered all involved parties to strictly follow case management guidelines to prevent any unnecessary postponements. The prosecution, led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), must deliver key evidence—including witness statements and all relevant video footage—to the defense team within the required timelines.
Special arrangements were made for protected witnesses, who are set to give evidence during the first two days of the hearings. By agreement among the parties, the trial will kick off on March 17, with five witnesses already committed to testify on that opening day. The DPP was also instructed to provide advance notice of the initial prosecution witnesses to avoid any mix-ups in court.
The court further emphasized the need for the defense to prepare its cross-examination questions thoroughly. Prosecutors confirmed they plan to introduce CCTV footage as part of their evidence bundle.
The six accused—former Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam, Constable James Mukhwana, and four others—remain in custody. Bail was denied last year, with Justice Kavedza citing risks of tampering with both civilian and police witnesses, as well as the widespread public unrest that erupted after Ojwang's death.
Ojwang's custody death in June triggered nationwide protests and significant property damage, turning the case into one of Kenya's most closely watched matters involving police accountability.
With these firm dates now in place, the court has signaled its commitment to an expedited yet thorough process. The trial's outcome is expected to have major implications for justice, public trust in law enforcement, and ongoing discussions around custodial deaths in the country.
