The investigation into the assassination of Kaspul Kabondo MP Ong’ondo Were has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of his personal driver and bodyguard. The two, who were in the vehicle during the deadly April 30 shooting along Valley Road in Nairobi, were taken into custody by detectives on Tuesday night over inconsistencies in their statements regarding the incident.
According to police sources, the two men are considered persons of interest and are assisting detectives in reconstructing the lawmaker’s final movements before the attack. Though neither was injured when a lone gunman opened fire, killing the second-term legislator, their varying accounts of the events have raised suspicions.
The MP was shot five times at close range, with an autopsy revealing that the bullets fatally damaged vital organs, including his heart. Witnesses reported seeing the bodyguard give chase briefly after the assailant escaped on a motorcycle, before returning to the vehicle to help rush the wounded MP to Nairobi Hospital.
So far, four other suspects have been arrested, with one found in possession of Sh615,000 in cash, suspected to be part of a payment for the hit. A deeper probe led investigators to the home of police officer Juma Ali Hikal in Pangani, where a vehicle believed to have been used in the assassination was recovered. Police also found ammunition, teargas canisters, police uniforms, and multiple mobile phones.
CCTV footage has been critical in the investigation, with one suspect, Shighali, captured trailing the MP prior to the murder. He was seen carrying a bag believed to have concealed the murder weapon and wearing boots later found at Hikal’s home.
Prosecutors revealed that thousands of minutes of surveillance footage have been reviewed and communication records among the suspects show coordination before and after the killing. Authorities now suspect an organized criminal network with police ties may be behind the assassination.
A JKIA Magistrate Court has allowed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to hold the four suspects for 30 days as investigations continue. Police say more suspects, including a police officer who used a false identity and untraceable mobile number to coordinate the hit, are still being sought.
