Ong'ondo Were's Aide and Driver Under Scrutiny for Ties to Murder Suspects

The investigation into the assassination of Kasipul Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Ong’ondo Were has expanded, with law enforcement officials seeking the arrest of five additional suspects believed to be connected to the meticulously planned crime.

The MP was fatally shot on April 30 near the City Mortuary roundabout along Ngong Road, a location known for its high traffic and pedestrian activity. Investigators, relying on court documents submitted yesterday, are leveraging an array of surveillance resources, including footage from the Integrated Command, Control, and Communication Centre and privately installed cameras along the route where the incident occurred. 

Additionally, mobile phone triangulation and forensic analysis are being employed to identify the perpetrators and ascertain the existence of a broader conspiracy. According to Inspector Oliver Nabonwe, the lead investigator, the complex nature of the crime necessitates an extensive, multi-county inquiry. 

"This was a crime devised long before its execution," he stated. "The suspects had meetings both within and outside Nairobi, requiring broader investigations beyond the capital."

Among those targeted for arrest are Allan Ogola Omondi, the MP’s bodyguard, and Walter Owino Awino, his driver. Authorities suspect communication between the two and key conspirators both before and after the attack. Ebel Ochieng, also known as Dave Calo, a neighbour of the late legislator, is also a person of interest due to alleged prior threats against the MP. Edwin Oduor Odhiambo and Dennis Sewe Manyasi have already been apprehended in Nairobi’s Umoja Two estate and Nakuru, respectively. 

Their movements and interactions are under scrutiny, as they are believed to have trailed the MP from Parliament on the evening of his murder. A search of Odhiambo’s Nairobi residence yielded critical evidence, including two pistols with ammunition, five SIM cards, and multiple mobile phones, all of which are undergoing forensic examination. 

Last week, four additional individuals were taken into custody: William Imoli Shighali, Juma Ali Haikal, an active Administration Police officer, Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame. These individuals are being held for 30 days as authorities finalise inquiries into their potential involvement.

Bullet casings retrieved from Were’s body are undergoing comparative analysis against the recovered firearms, which authorities hope will establish a direct link to the perpetrators. Meanwhile, businessman Philip Nahashon Aroko, who is considered a person of interest, is challenging his detention, arguing that he has been unfairly held without justification. 

His lawyer, Danstan Omari, has filed court documents disputing any involvement by his client. Principal Magistrate Irene Gichohi at the JKIA law courts is expected to rule tomorrow on whether Aroko will remain in custody or be granted bail. The investigation has revealed that the assassination of MP Were was a carefully orchestrated plot, prompting deeper scrutiny into the motive and the individuals involved.