The high-profile murder case involving the assassination of the late Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were has taken a fresh twist following the release of businessman Phillip Aroko.
Aroko, who had been previously arrested and treated as a suspect in the case, was released after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reviewed the evidence.
The businessman will now serve as a state witness in the ongoing investigation, having been enlisted by DCI as a key witness.
His release marks a significant turning point in a case that has already seen three individuals formally charged with MP Ong’ondo Were’s killing.
Aroko has, however, consistently denied any involvement in the legislator’s murder.
The Kibera High Court in late May overturned a decision by the Chief Magistrate’s Court at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), which had granted him bail.
Justice Diana Kavedza ruled in favour of the prosecution’s request for extended detention, citing the complex and sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.
“The application is found to be merited,” the judge stated, emphasising that the temporary detention was necessary to allow investigators to pursue critical leads without infringing on Aroko’s constitutional rights.
Aroko was subsequently held at Kileleshwa Police Station until May 26, 2025, as investigations continued.
Also Read: Suspect in Kasipul MP Were’s Murder Case Threatens to Kill in Court
Court releases businessman Phillip Aroko
The High Court then, on May 27, released him on a cash bail of Ksh300,000 issued earlier by the JKIA court.
This is after the court was told that the investigators in the case have pieced together required evidence, including the businessman writing his statement.
The state asked the court to release Aroko under similar conditions issued earlier by the JKIA court.
“With the 7 days you provided to the prosecution, we have been able to cover areas, the days have been utilised sufficiently in custody,” the court was told.
Aroko, representing himself, told the court that he would abide by the directions issued, including availing his passport in Kibera Court.
The late MP Charles Were was fatally shot on April 30, 2025, during rush hour at the City Mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road in Nairobi.
Police reports indicated that a gunman on a motorcycle fired at the lawmaker at close range before speeding off with the rider.
Since the launch of investigations, three suspects linked to the murder have since been formally charged before the High Court in Kibera.
3 suspects formally charged
The accused, namely William Imoli Imo Shigali, Edwin Oduor Odhiambo, and Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo, appeared before Justice Kavedza on Tuesday, June 17 and pleaded not guilty to charges of murder.
Also Read: Philip Aroko Arrested Again
Calo is a director at the Lake Basin Development Authority in Kisumu, according to the prosecution.
Odhiambo was allegedly found in possession of the firearm used in the killing of the MP, while Shigali is the owner of the motor vehicle used to trail the late lawmaker’s car from Parliament Buildings.
The three denied the charge of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code, Chapter 63, Laws of Kenya, stemming from the events of April 30.
Led by State Counsel Gikui Gichuhi, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) opposed their release on bail Following their plea, citing the serious nature of the offence.
However, the judge ordered the three accused persons to remain in custody until July 17, pending a probation report and fixing a ruling date on their bail application.
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