Businessman Philip Aroko, a key suspect in the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were, was rearrested on Monday, July 15, after a Kibera Court cancelled his bail. The court directed that he be detained for seven days at Kileleshwa Police Station to allow the conclusion of investigations.
Aroko had previously been released on a KSh300,000 cash bail by the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts. Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi had imposed strict bail conditions, including the surrender of his passport, restriction from travelling to Homa Bay County, and a ban on contacting co-accused individuals or family members of the late MP. He was also ordered to avoid tampering with evidence and to cooperate fully with investigators.
However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) appealed the decision, citing the high public interest in the case and the need for additional investigation time. Following the successful appeal, the court rescinded the bail, prompting police to track and rearrest Aroko.
According to court documents, Aroko is one of 12 suspects under investigation for the killing of MP Were, who was shot dead along Valley Road in Nairobi on April 30, 2025. Inspector Oliver Nabonwe, in an affidavit, disclosed that Aroko had provided new information during his recent interrogation, prompting investigators to request more time.
The court was informed that critical reports—including a cybercrime and forensic analysis from the National Forensic Laboratory and a financial report from the Financial Reporting Centre are still pending. These are essential for further interrogation of the suspect.
Investigators also intend to analyze call data from Aroko, the deceased MP, and other suspects. Several new witnesses have been identified, and their statements are yet to be recorded, including some based in Homa Bay.
With the murder weapon already recovered and multiple suspects in custody, the case continues to unfold, with authorities focusing on piecing together evidence for possible murder charges.
