Four accused persons charged afresh over Talaam sim swap

Brian Ronoh Kiprotich, Amos Nzomo Kimanzi, James Mutemi Munyithya, and Dennis Masavi Musimi before Milimani law courts on September 3,2025.

A Nairobi court has declined to vary bail terms for four suspects facing fresh charges in a SIM swap case involving businessman Samson Talaam.

The suspects were arraigned before Principal Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii Mugo at the Milimani Law Courts, where they pleaded not guilty to a new charge sheet containing 13 counts, up from the previous 12.

Brian Ronoh Kiprotich, Amos Nzomo Kimanzi, James Mutemi Munyithya, and Dennis Masavi Musimi before Milimani law courts on September 3,2025.

“This is the first time an exhibit in the hands of IPOA has been accessed in a manner we cannot comprehend. If the accused are released, many Kenyans are likely to suffer in their hands,” Omari told the court.

Shadrack added that although bail is a constitutional right, the court can still limit or take it away in serious cases.

Counsel for the accused, however, asked the court to retain the bond terms, arguing that nothing had changed since the earlier ruling.

“The right to bail can be limited, but my learned friends have not provided compelling grounds for such a limitation,” the defence lawyer said.

In her ruling, Magistrate Nyaguthii said there was no reason to interfere with the earlier bail and bond terms issued by Magistrate Dolphina Alego.

“The additional charges only affect the first accused, who is a first-time offender and has not skipped court before. The second, third and fourth accused have not interfered with investigations,” said the Magistrate.

“I do not believe there are any compelling reasons that have been advanced to curtail the accused persons’ right to bond.”she added

The court granted the first accused a cash bail of Sh150,000 or a bond of Sh300,000 with a surety of a similar amount, as well as two contact persons. The earlier bond terms for the other three suspects were retained.

The case will be mentioned on September 18 for pretrial directions.

The case stems from allegations that the mobile phone of former OCS Samson Talaam was fraudulently swapped while in the custody of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

Talaam has been linked to the death of blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang, who died while in police custody.