A Nairobi Magistrate’s Court has granted police seven working days to detain a businessman suspected of playing a central role in the assassination of former Kasipul Kabondo MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, pending completion of investigations.
Philip Nahashon Aroko was arraigned before JKIA Principal Magistrate Irene Gichohi after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought to hold him for 30 working days. However, the court trimmed the request and permitted investigators to detain him for only seven days at Kileleshwa Police Station.
According to an application filed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Aroko is considered a key suspect in the murder of the former legislator, who was shot dead on the night of April 30, 2025, while driving along Ngong Road near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.
The court heard that Ong’ondo was trailed by assailants using a car and a motorcycle before being ambushed and fatally shot in what detectives believe was a meticulously planned and coordinated attack involving multiple individuals.
In an affidavit presented by investigating officer Inspector Oliver Nabowne, the DCI stated that Aroko had been adversely mentioned by suspects already in custody as well as by several witnesses. He is alleged to have financed and actively participated in both the planning and execution of the killing.
“The respondent has been adversely mentioned by some suspects already in lawful custody and other witnesses as the person who allegedly initiated, organised, financed, and was actively involved in the murder of the deceased person. This is well corroborated by the preliminary investigations,” Inspector Nabowne told the court.
The Investigatora are seeking additional time to analyze Aroko’s mobile phone, which is suspected to have been used in coordinating the attack and facilitating payments. They are also reviewing several hours of CCTV footage captured along Valley Road, including recordings from privately owned surveillance systems.
Police further disclosed that they are yet to visit the deceased’s residence and office in Homa Bay County to interview key witnesses and piece together the final days of the MP’s life. Several witnesses from Kasipul Constituency are also yet to record statements.
Magistrate Gichohi ordered that Aroko be held at Kileleshwa Police Station and scheduled the matter for mention on May 17, 2025.
