The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has merged two separate murder cases into a single trial involving five individuals accused of killing Kasipul Member of Parliament, Charles Ong’ondo Were. The consolidation allows the prosecution to handle the matter as one cohesive case, streamlining proceedings and eliminating the risk of conflicting outcomes.
The joint trial brings together suspects who were previously charged separately at the Kibera and Milimani Law Courts. The accused — William Imoli Shigali, Edwin Oduor Odhiambo alias Machuani, Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo, Isaac Kuria Chege alias Kush, and Allan Omondi Ogola — face charges of murdering the legislator on April 30, 2025. The incident occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. near the City Mortuary Roundabout along Ngong Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area.
Initially, Shigali, Oduor, and Ochieng had taken plea at Kibera High Court, where they all denied the charges. Kuria and Omondi also entered not-guilty pleas at the Milimani Law Court. With the consolidation now approved, the suspects will be tried collectively for the murder.
The court emphasized that each accused person remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. The presiding judge noted that consolidating the charges would not only simplify case management but also serve the broader interest of justice, especially for the family of the late MP.
However, the court maintained that bond proceedings for the two groups of accused persons will proceed independently. The bond determination for the first three suspects is scheduled for August 14, 2025, while the bond hearing for the remaining two is set for September 22, 2025.
This consolidation marks a critical step in what is expected to become a highly scrutinized legal process. The murder of MP Ong’ondo Were shocked the nation and drew public and political attention, with many demanding swift and transparent justice. The upcoming trial will be watched closely as it unfolds in the coming months.
