Philip Aroko, a prominent Homa Bay politician and key suspect in the murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, has been released on a Sh300,000 cash bail after a magistrate court ruling. Aroko, who had been wanted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), presented himself at the Gigiri Police Station before being arraigned.
The suspect was initially arrested and arraigned at the JKIA Law Courts, where the prosecution sought to have him detained for 30 days pending investigations into the high-profile murder case. However, JKIA Principal Magistrate Irene Gichor instead granted a seven-day remand to allow investigations to progress.
When the case returned to court on Friday, Magistrate Gichor granted Aroko bail but imposed several stringent conditions on his release. He was ordered to surrender his passport to prevent international travel and was prohibited from entering Homa Bay County, where the late MP Ong’ondo Were was buried.
Aroko, who was Ong’ondo Were’s fiercest political rival during the 2022 general elections, had requested permission through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, to visit the late MP’s grave to pray. The court, however, restricted him from entering the Kasipul constituency or contacting any of the MP’s family members, other suspects, or individuals linked to the investigation.
Further bail conditions require Aroko to report regularly to the investigating officers and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations. He is also barred from interfering with any evidence crucial to the case.
The prosecution had initially opposed bail, citing the case’s significant public interest and the need for thorough investigations. Aroko is among 11 suspects currently being investigated for their alleged involvement in the murder of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
The case remains under active investigation, with further court directions scheduled for June 3, 2025. The development has intensified public interest as the community awaits justice for the slain legislator, whose death has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Homa Bay County.
