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MP Charles Were murder: Suspect Philip Aroko out on bail after re-arrest
Politician-cum-businessman Philip Aroko. He is one of the suspects linked to Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were's murder
What you need to know:
- Mr Aroko told the court that he would abide by the directions issued and would also avail his passport to the Kibera Court.
- Over 10 suspects have been arrested and detained in connection with the cold-blooded murder of Mr Were, a second-term MP.
Businessman-cum-politician, Philip Aroko, who had been released two weeks ago on bond and then re-arrested over the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Were, has been granted a cash bail of Sh300,000 by the High Court in Kibera.
In the MP’s murder case, Mr Aroko, who was arrested over the April 30 fatal shooting of the legislator, was initially detained and later freed by a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport court on a bond of Sh300,000.
On Tuesday, Mr Aroko appeared before Kibera High Court judge Diana Kavedza for further directions when the prosecution informed the court that investigations had been completed.
The prosecution asked the court to release him on similar bail conditions as those issued earlier by the JKIA court.
"We managed to cover all aspects of the investigations within the seven days the suspect was in custody,” the prosecution told the court.
Mr Aroko, representing himself, told the court that he would abide by the directions issued and would also avail his passport to the Kibera Court.
When Mr Aroko was presented before Justice Kavedza earlier this month, she allowed the prosecution’s application to detain him for an additional seven days to facilitate ongoing investigations, stating that the application was meritorious.
In her ruling, the judge found the prosecution’s plea to have legal backing, given the public interest, the delicate nature, and the extent of the ongoing investigations.
Politician-cum-businessman Philip Aroko.
On May 9, 2025, Mr Aroko was arraigned before the JKIA court and detained for seven days. The police had requested that the court allow them to hold him for 30 days.
On May 16, 2025, the suspect was again arraigned before the same court for directions.
The DCI sought a further extension of custodial orders for an additional seven days, but the court declined the application and instead released him on a cash bail of Sh300,000.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the prosecution, by a letter dated May 16, 2025, invoked the court's revisionary jurisdiction under Section 362 as read with Section 364 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The prosecution sought to have the order granting the respondent cash bail set aside and requested that the respondent (Aroko) be remanded in custody pending the conclusion of investigations.
The prosecution stated that the continued detention of the suspect was necessary to uphold the integrity of the investigations and prevent interference with potential witnesses or evidence.
Over 10 suspects have been arrested and detained in connection with the cold-blooded murder of Mr Were, a second-term MP.
