Progress of the case of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were Assassinated in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya – May 8, 2025 – The brutal assassination of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were on April 30, 2025, has sent shockwaves across Kenya, with police intensifying investigations into what authorities describe as a “targeted and premeditated” killing. The 45-year-old opposition legislator, a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), was gunned down near the City Mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road in Nairobi, sparking outrage and raising concerns about political violence in the country.

According to police reports, Were was shot at close range by a gunman riding as a pillion passenger on a motorcycle. The attacker fired five shots at the MP’s vehicle, a white Toyota Crown, while it was stopped at a traffic light around 7:30 p.m. The assailant then fled the scene on the motorcycle. Were’s driver and bodyguard, who were unharmed, rushed him to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that the attackers had trailed Were’s vehicle from Parliament, indicating meticulous planning.

Were, serving his second term as MP for Kasipul in Homa Bay County, had publicly expressed fears for his life just two months prior, citing threats and increasing violence in his constituency. In February, he condemned disruptions at public events, alleging they were orchestrated by external forces. “When you hear I have been killed, Kasipul will not be the same again,” Were had said, though he added, “I know they won’t kill me because I have the Bible in my phone and another one under my pillow.”

Arrests and Investigation Progress

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has made significant strides in the probe, arresting nine suspects in connection with the murder, including Were’s bodyguard, Allan Omondi Ogolla, and driver, Walter Owino. Four suspects—William Shighali, Juma Haikal, Douglas Wambugu, and David Kagame—were detained for 30 days by a Nairobi court on May 5 to allow further investigations. Some of the suspects are allegedly linked to the “Mjahidin” gang, known for violent robberies in Nairobi’s Eastlands area.

Police have recovered critical evidence, including a pistol suspected to be the murder weapon, found in a house in Kayole’s Chokaa area on May 6, and a vehicle believed to have trailed Were from Parliament. CCTV footage has been instrumental, showing the suspects’ movements along Were’s route. A motorcycle used in the attack was also recovered in Dandora, Nairobi.

Philip Nahashon Aroko Summoned and Surrenders

On May 7, 2025, the DCI issued a public summons for businessman and aspiring politician Philip Nahashon Aroko, naming him a person of interest in the murder. The agency ordered Aroko to surrender immediately to the nearest police station, emphasizing that compliance was mandatory. Hours later, Aroko, accompanied by his lawyer Danstan Omari, surrendered at Gigiri Police Station on the night of May 7.

Aroko, a prominent figure in Homa Bay County with reported ambitions to contest the Kasipul parliamentary seat in 2027, denied any involvement in the killing. “I have just seen on X that I am wanted. I was not hiding. I am a law-abiding citizen. I have nothing to do with the death of the MP,” he stated. His lawyer accused the state of politicizing the investigation, claiming it was a “political witch-hunt” orchestrated by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, whom Aroko alleged had pushed for his summons.

Despite expectations that Aroko would appear in court on May 8, he was not presented before a judge, and no official explanation for the delay has been provided. The DCI continues to interrogate Aroko as part of the ongoing probe.

Political Tensions and Allegations

The murder has heightened political tensions in Homa Bay, with some Kasipul residents and leaders pointing to Were’s controversial tenure. Reports have surfaced alleging that Were sponsored goons to intimidate opponents, with constituents like Edward Odhiambo claiming they were attacked at his behest. These allegations, coupled with Aroko’s accusations against Governor Wanga, have fueled speculation of a politically motivated killing.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has suggested that individuals close to Were may have been involved, while President William Ruto vowed that justice would be served. “We urge the police to conduct a thorough investigation,” Ruto posted on X. ODM leader Raila Odinga condemned the killing, describing Were as a “gallant son of the soil” gunned down in cold blood.

Calls for Justice

The assassination, described as rare for Kenyan politics, has raised alarm about the safety of legislators, particularly after Were’s public warnings about threats to his life. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula called the act “callous and cowardly,” while Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma noted that Were left Parliament shortly after 8 p.m. on the day of the attack.

As investigations continue, the DCI has appealed to the public for information, providing toll-free numbers (999, 112, and 0800 722 203) for confidential tips. The nation awaits further developments in a case that has exposed deep political rivalries and the specter of violence in Kenyan politics.