Three men have been formally charged with the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament, Charles Ong’ondo Were. The accused – William Imoli, also known as Imo, Edwin Odour Odhiambo, alias Machuani, and Ebel Ochieng, alias Dave Calo – appeared before the High Court in Kibera, where they entered not-guilty pleas to the murder charge.
According to court documents, the three allegedly conspired with others who have not yet been apprehended to murder the MP on the night of April 30, 2025. The killing occurred at around 7:40 PM at the City Mortuary Roundabout along Ngong Road in Kilimani, Nairobi County.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), through the investigating officer, filed an affidavit opposing bond or bail for the accused, citing concerns over witness safety and possible interference with the ongoing investigation. During the accused’s earlier arraignment on June 4, the court was reportedly informed that Ebel Ochieng made a threatening statement directed at a member of the prosecution in open court, prompting serious concerns about intimidation.
Investigators linked Edwin Odour directly to the fatal shooting after a firearm believed to have discharged the bullet that killed the MP was recovered from his possession. Authorities also allege he was found with another firearm and is implicated in other criminal acts within Nairobi and Kiambu Counties.
William Imoli is alleged to have been the driver of the vehicle that tailed the legislator from Parliament to the murder scene, while Ebel Ochieng is accused of acquiring and fraudulently registering a mobile phone SIM card used in planning and coordinating the murder.
Further investigations revealed that William and Ebel maintained frequent communication with another suspect identified as the deceased MP’s bodyguard who is also expected to face murder charges in a separate proceeding at the Milimani High Court.
An autopsy conducted on the deceased indicated that he sustained multiple gunshot wounds, all of which entered from the left side of his body. Investigators recovered bullets, metallic jackets, and spent cartridges from the crime scene, all of which have been submitted for ballistic testing to strengthen the case.
The prosecution has lined up 35 witnesses to testify in the case. As part of pre-trial procedures, the court ordered the probation office to prepare a comprehensive pre-bail report for each of the accused. The matter is scheduled for mention on July 17, 2025, when further directions on the case are expected to be issued.
