A Nairobi court has ordered that Philip Aroko, a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were, be detained for seven days to allow police to continue with investigations.
The decision was made at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts, where the magistrate handling the matter emphasized that Aroko had demonstrated his willingness to cooperate with investigative authorities by voluntarily presenting himself at the Gigiri Police Station. This came after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had issued an alert requesting him to report to the nearest police station. In acknowledging his cooperation, the magistrate allowed the request for custodial orders but limited the duration to seven calendar days.
In their application, the DCI had initially sought to detain Aroko for 30 days, citing the complexity and sensitivity of the case. However, Aroko strongly opposed the request, terming the 30-day period as excessive and unreasonable. Addressing the court directly, he urged the magistrate to consider a shorter detention period, arguing that his voluntary appearance and cooperation with investigators were indications of good faith. He proposed a five-day detention instead, pointing out that the longer duration requested by the DCI was unnecessary and punitive.
Additionally, Aroko asked the court to allow him to be held at the Kileleshwa Police Station rather than the Kasarani Police Station, which he claimed was too far from his family. He stated that Kileleshwa is closer to his residence, making it easier for his family to visit him and attend to any needs he might have during the detention period. The court did not immediately rule on this request.
Prior to this court appearance, the Milimani High Court had issued an order compelling the state to produce Aroko in court by Monday, May 12, 2025. The directive came after concerns were raised about his whereabouts and the legality of his detention without charge. In the order, the judge instructed the respondents – including the DCI, Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General, and Inspector General – to explain why Aroko had not been arraigned in court or released on bond. The court warned that failure to justify his continued detention would result in his immediate release on bail.
The court has scheduled a mention of the matter for May 16, 2025. During this session, the prosecution will be expected to update the court on the progress of their investigation and indicate whether there is a need to extend Aroko’s detention further. The case continues to draw significant public attention due to the high-profile nature of the crime and the political position held by the late MP.
Authorities have remained tight-lipped about the details linking Aroko to the murder, citing ongoing investigations. However, they have confirmed that he is being treated as a person of interest and that further inquiries are being pursued to determine his involvement, if any, in the death of the Kasipul legislator. The next few days are expected to be crucial as investigators work to uncover more information and determine whether formal charges will be brought against him.
