Written by Lisa Murimi
Five suspects will be charged with the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, following the approval of charges by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The suspects are set to appear in court on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Three of the accused — William Imoli alias Imo, Edwin Oduor Odhiambo alias Machuani, and Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo — will be arraigned at the Kibera High Court.
Calo is a director at the Lake Basin Development Authority in Kisumu. The other two, Allan Omondi Ogola, a police officer and the MP’s bodyguard, and Isaac Kuria, also known as Kush and believed to be the hitman, will appear before the Milimani High Court.
According to the DPP, investigations revealed that the five, along with others not before the court, plotted and executed the murder on April 30 near the City Mortuary Roundabout in Nairobi.
Police have linked the killing to political infighting, citing organized planning meetings within and outside Nairobi.
Twelve people were initially arrested, but five, including the MP’s driver Walter Awino Owino and Dennis Sewe Manyasi, were released and are now cooperating as state witnesses.
One suspect allegedly received Sh850,000 in advance for the hit, with some of the cash, including US dollars, recovered during a search in his home, strengthening the prosecution’s allegations.
The killing sparked outrage in Homa Bay County, where local leaders blamed internal succession disputes for the MP’s assassination.
Emotions ran high as families of the freed witnesses held prayers outside the courtroom on Tuesday.
