The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has moved to court seeking orders to compel Safaricom Kenya Limited to release crucial communication records linked to the death of teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang.
In an application filed through IPOA investigator Abdirahman Jibril, the authority requests access to subscriber information, call data, and travel patterns for 17 specific mobile numbers believed to be connected to suspects in Ojwang’s case.
The data request spans from June 4, 2025, at 5:00 a.m. to June 8, 2025, at midnight.
IPOA is also seeking a directive compelling Safaricom to appoint an authorized officer to issue a Certificate of Production of Electronic Evidence, in line with Section 106B(4) of the Evidence Act. This certificate would validate any electronic records for admissibility in court.
The application outlines IPOA’s intent to determine the identities of individuals who may have communicated with or tracked Ojwang in the days leading to his death, which occurred under suspicious circumstances while in police custody.
The case is being investigated as a possible death in custody—an offense under Section 203 of the Penal Code.
IPOA argues that the requested data is key to reconstructing events, analyzing suspect movement, and verifying communications.
It notes that Safaricom is the lawful custodian of the digital records and must comply with legal provisions to assist the investigation.
The court has also been asked to ensure the Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom is personally served with any resulting orders.
Ojwang’s death has sparked national outrage, with three officers, including Nairobi Central OCS Samson Talaam, already arrested.
