The High Court has denied bail to three suspects charged with the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were, citing the gravity of the offense and potential interference with investigations.
The accused, William Imoli alias Imo, Edwin Odour Odhiambo alias Machuani, and Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo, appeared before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera High Court and pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
The three, along with others still at large, are accused of murdering the MP on the evening of April 30, 2025, near the City Mortuary Roundabout on Ngong Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area. According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the accused were involved in a coordinated plan to eliminate the legislator.
Justice Kavedza ruled that the suspects will remain in custody pending a pre-bail probation report, which the investigating and probation officers indicated will require 30 days to complete. The case will be mentioned on July 17, 2025, for further directions.
The DPP opposed the release on bail, presenting an affidavit that detailed the alleged roles of each suspect: Edwin was reportedly found with two firearms, one allegedly used in the murder and in other criminal acts in Nairobi and Kiambu; William allegedly drove the vehicle that trailed the MP from Parliament; and Ebel is said to have fraudulently registered a SIM card used to coordinate the assassination.
The prosecution also noted that during the arraignment on June 4, Ebel issued an explicit order to a prosecutor in open court, which was formally recorded by the judge. Authorities further revealed that William and Ebel were in constant communication with the deceased’s bodyguard, another suspect expected to be charged separately at the Milimani High Court.
A request by one of the accused, Shigali, to attend his mother’s burial was also rejected, with the court warning against setting such a precedent.
An autopsy report confirmed the MP died from multiple gunshot wounds, all entering from the left side. Bullets and cartridges recovered from the scene have been submitted for ballistic analysis.
The prosecution has lined up 35 witnesses to testify in the case, which is expected to attract significant public and political interest.
Written By Rodney Mbua
