Politician-cum-businessman Philip Aroko. He has been freed from custody and will now become a state witness.
Businessman Philip Aroko, who was under arrest over the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were in April, has been freed from custody and will now become a state witness.
Mr Aroko was among 11 people who were arrested following the April 30 murder of the MP and has been in custody as police conducted investigations into the killing. He had initially been freed on Sh300,000 cash bail but was re-arrested placed in custody. On Thursday, however, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga said Mr Aroko will now become a witness during the trial.
The MP was shot at near Nairobi Funeral Home roundabout after being trailed by his assailants from the city centre. Two suspects have so far been charged with the murder of the MP and are in remand after being denied bail by High Court judge Diana Kavedza.
Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Colo, William Imoli alias Imo and Edwin Oduor Odhiambo alias Machuani, denied the charges when they appeared before Justice Kavedza.
Other suspects who have been presented before court and are awaiting formal charge are Allan Omondi Ogola, the MP’s bodyguard, and Isaac Kuria alias Kush, the alleged hitman. The two are waiting to undergo mental assessment before they are charged.
Immediately after the shooting, Kuria allegedly fled to Isebania in Migori County with the intention of crossing over to Tanzania.
The court was told that the suspect should be held by the police because he was a flight risk.
The police had arrested 11 suspects over the fatal shooting of Mr Were on April 30, 2025. Other suspects are Walter Owino – the MP’s driver – and Dennis Sewe Manyasi, who were arrested in Nairobi’s Umoja Two estate and Nakuru.
The police claimed that Omondi and Owino were in communication with some of the planners and executors of the crime. At Mr Odhiambo’s house, the police allegedly recovered two pistols with two magazines and nine bullets, five Airtel sim cards, and four mobile phones.
