The National Police Service (NPS) has given an update on the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Ong’ondo Were. In a statement on May 4, NPS said it swiftly conducted an operation and successfully arrested four suspects who had been positively placed at the crime scene.

Investigators have also recovered crucial evidence linked to the crime, as well as to the perpetrators.

NPS said some of the suspects arrested are members of organised criminal gangs, such as “Mjahidin”, which has been linked to armed robberies in the Eastlands area of Nairobi.

“NPS investigators and the technical team are working tirelessly, leveraging their expertise, to establish the motive behind the fatal shooting and to bring all those involved to justice,” reads part of the statement.

The Police urged the public to remain calm and refrain from speculating, as investigative teams work diligently to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

Moreover, the NPS advised individuals not directly involved in this investigation to refrain from making comments that could hinder ongoing efforts.

“NPS remains committed to holding those responsible to account and delivering justice to Hon. Were’s family and the nation,” adds another part of the statement.

“NPS assures the public of its unwavering dedication to resolving this case and will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.”

Previous Reports

Were was shot dead on the evening of Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Nairobi.

Initially, there were reports that two suspects linked to the murder Were had been arrested.

According to police sources familiar with the investigation, the suspects were apprehended during a Saturday night operation led by a technical team from the Operations Support Unit based at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) headquarters.

The operations conducted in Nairobi Eastland area also led to the seizure of three motorcycles and a vehicle believed to have been used to trail the MP before he was gunned down.

Police said the murder weapon has not been recovered.

Also Read: Ruto Takes Action After Assassination of Charles Were

How Car Tracked Ong’ondo Were Before Shooting

 The detectives said the suspects used the car to escape the scene after the shooting incident near City Mortuary along Valley Road. 

CCTV footage showed that Were’s killers had been tracking him immediately after he left Parliament Buildings around 7 pm.

It has been reported that the same car was captured on security cameras near the Parliament Building.

 It was later spotted on City Hall Way, Wabera Street, Kenyatta Avenue, Jakaya Kikwete Road, Argwings Kodhek Road, and Valley Road.

These are the same routes that Were used from the Parliament buildings before he was shot at about 7.30 pm.

Additionally, investigators said the suspect was traced along all the routes the MP used before he was shot.

The suspect who shot Were was wearing a hood and had a rider helping him follow the MPs car along the said routes.

The suspect was captured near where Were stopped to make financial transactions on his way from Parliament Building.

Also Read: 5 Burning Questions Emerge in Kasipul MP Murder Probe

DCI’s Last Update on the Murder

On May 2, the DCI said a team of detectives from the DCI Homicide Bureau, supported by forensic experts from the National Forensic Laboratory, was deployed to the scene.

DCI said the team meticulously examined the crime scene and collected critical evidence essential to the investigation’s progress.

Detectives forensically reconstructed Were’s movements from Parliament to the location of the shooting.

“This detailed analysis has yielded significant leads, enabling investigators to narrow down to potential suspects,” DCI said.

DCI said the suspect’s motive remains under investigation, but preliminary investigations suggest that this was a targeted and premeditated act.

The DCI is pursuing all angles to uncover the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor will lead an autopsy on Monday, May 5, 2025, to provide further insights into the cause of death and support the investigation.

Ruto Calls for Thorough Investigations

President William Ruto mourned with Were’s family and his Constituents.

In a condolence note shared on May 1, Ruto directed the police the matters and arrest the suspects.

“May God grant the family and the people of Kasipul strength to bear with the loss of Charles Ong’ondo Were. We urge the police to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. Those responsible must be held to account,” Ruto said.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.