Safaricom ordered to allow OCS Taalam replace his SIM card

Appearing before Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii, Taalam’s lawyer told the court that attempts to replace the SIM card had been unsuccessful after the service provider allegedly insisted on a court directive. 

Counsel argued that the order was necessary to enable Taalam regain control of his mobile number following claims that it had been misused after being seized by investigators.

Magistrate Nyaguthii allowed the application and directed Safaricom to facilitate the renewal of Taalam’s mobile phone line.

The order came as Taalam continued his testimony in a case in which he alleges that officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) misused his seized phone to solicit money from his relatives and associates while he was in custody.

Taalam told the court that he was arrested on Friday, June 13, 2025, and placed in custody. Two days later, on Sunday, IPOA officers requested his mobile phone for investigation purposes, which he said he surrendered willingly together with the PINs to unlock the device.

He testified that after being taken to court on a miscellaneous application, a relative later informed him that they had received calls from unknown persons demanding money to facilitate his bail. According to Taalam, the callers asked for varying amounts ranging from Ksh.10,000 to as much as Ksh.80,000, claiming the money would secure his release.

Alarmed by the calls, the OCS said he lodged formal complaints, maintaining that his phone was being used without his authority. He told the court that the phone and a photocopy of his national identity card had been taken by two IPOA officers, whom he identified as Jibril and Njihia.

He insisted that the phone was handed over strictly for investigation purposes and not for any other use.

The matter will be mentioned on March 25, 2026, for further directions before the Milimani Law Courts.

Taalam's phone was taken by IPOA officers as part of investigations into the murder of Albert Ojwang, who was in custody at the Central Police Station. 

Ojwang, a teacher turned blogger died on June 8, 2025.