A firearm recovered by police has been conclusively linked to the assassination of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were. Authorities confirmed the weapon, a Sarsilmaz pistol, was discovered in the home of a person of interest and has now been identified as the murder weapon through forensic analysis.
Police investigations have made significant progress since the April 30, 2025, killing. Ten individuals have been arrested to assist in the ongoing probe. Of these, four suspects with direct connections to the crime scene were taken into custody following forensic work. Investigators believe some of them are affiliated with the “Mjahidini,” a notorious criminal gang operating in Nairobi’s Eastlands area and known for a string of armed robberies.
On May 5, the four suspects were presented at the JKIA Law Courts, where police secured a 30-day custodial order to allow further investigations. The matter is scheduled for mention on June 5.
In subsequent operations, two more suspects were arrested. They led officers to a residence where key evidence was uncovered, including the Sarsilmaz pistol, a Retay Falcon pistol, a bag, and footwear matching witness descriptions from the crime scene. All the recovered items have been sent for forensic testing. Two additional suspects were arrested shortly afterward, raising the total number of those in custody to ten.
Authorities have also linked the Sarsilmaz pistol to three other armed robbery incidents in Nairobi and Kiambu counties. The most recent occurred on April 26, just four days before Were’s assassination. Investigators believe that tracking the weapon’s criminal history may provide insight into the broader network behind the attack.
Police are analysing multiple sources of evidence, including surveillance footage captured before and after the murder. Investigators have also identified a vehicle used to ferry the suspects to the crime scene. Financial transactions traced to some of the suspects are being scrutinized for possible connections to the killing.
Charles Ong’ondo Were was gunned down at approximately 7:40 p.m. on April 30, while driving along Ngong Road in a white Toyota Crown. As the vehicle stopped at a red light near the City Mortuary roundabout, two men on a motorcycle pulled alongside. The pillion passenger dismounted, approached the car’s passenger side, and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
The MP’s driver and bodyguard, who were not injured, rushed him to Nairobi Hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Following the attack, both the driver and bodyguard were detained for questioning as part of the broader investigation. An autopsy conducted on May 2 revealed that Were had sustained five gunshot wounds, all from the left side of his body. Two bullets were retrieved during the post-mortem, while a third was recovered from the vehicle.
Police say they are following all leads and are confident the case will be resolved. They have reaffirmed their commitment to a thorough and professional investigation and vowed to bring all those involved to justice.
