Businessman and politician Philip Aroko has been detained for seven days as investigations into the murder of Kasipul Kabondo Member of Parliament Charles Were intensify. Aroko, who had been missing since his arrest, was dramatically presented at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Court at 3 p.m. following a High Court order compelling police to produce him.
The State, in a miscellaneous application, revealed that Aroko had emerged as a central suspect in the assassination of the legislator. According to the prosecution, investigators uncovered a web of connections linking Aroko to the murder through communication records and financial trails. These allegedly connect him to multiple individuals believed to be part of the planning and execution of the killing.
“Evidence points to organised meetings held in Homabay, Nairobi, and Nakuru—all of which formed part of the planning stages that preceded the MP’s death,” the State counsel said. Financial transactions traced to Aroko are also under scrutiny, with authorities suspecting that the funds were used to facilitate the crime.
The court also heard that the late MP had reported threats to his life—allegedly from Aroko—at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Nairobi prior to his death.
The prosecution sought 30 days of custodial detention, citing the complexity of the case, ongoing witness tracing, and concerns for witness protection. However, Aroko opposed the request, pleading for a shorter period due to personal and family health concerns.
“Thirty days is crazy. I have a family and I am on medication. I do not have the machinery to interfere with witnesses,” Aroko told the court, adding a request to be remanded at Kileleshwa Police Station to be closer to his ailing wife.
JKIA Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi ruled in favour of a shorter detention, citing Aroko’s voluntary appearance and his willingness to cooperate. She ordered that Aroko be held for seven working days at Kileleshwa Police Station as investigations continue.
