A suspect in the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were was on Monday rearrested after a court cancelled his bail.
Businessman Philip Aroko had been released on bail pending investigations into the murder.
However, the prosecution appealed the release, and a Kibera Court canceled the bail, prompting police to track and arrest him.
The court ordered that he be detained at Kileleshwa Police Station for seven days pending the conclusion of investigations.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had appealed his release.
Aroko was released last week on a Sh300,000 cash bail by a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Magistrate Court.
JKIA Law Courts Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi had imposed several conditions on Aroko’s release.
He was ordered to surrender his passport and was prohibited from travelling to Homa Bay, the home county of the late MP.
Additionally, he was restricted from contacting family members, other suspects, or any individuals associated with the case.
The court also directed Aroko to refrain from interfering with any evidence that could be critical to the ongoing investigation.
As part of his bail terms, Aroko was required to report regularly to investigating officers and to provide any evidence needed in connection with the case.
The prosecution had initially requested that Aroko remain in custody, citing the high public interest in the case and the need for further investigation.
Aroko is among 12 suspects under investigation for the murder of MP Were.
Inspector Oliver Nabonwe swore an affidavit indicating that Aroko had provided new information that requires more time to investigate before a decision to charge him is made.
He added that the cybercrime and forensic report from the National Forensic Laboratory is still pending. This report will be used to further interrogate the respondent, an exercise that requires his physical presence and additional time.
The prosecution also noted in its appeal that a financial report from the Financial Reporting Centre is pending, and is crucial for interrogating Aroko on the financial aspects of the investigation.
“After interrogating some suspects in custody, more witnesses have been identified whose statements are yet to be recorded. This will require more time before investigations are concluded,” the prosecution submitted.
“So far, our investigations have revealed that the respondent, jointly with others in custody, is linked to the murder of the late Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were and could be charged with the offence of murder once investigations are concluded,” read the court documents.
The affidavit states that police need seven more days to investigate the new information provided by the respondent during his interview and statement recording.
They also need time to trace, interview, and record statements from newly identified witnesses, some of whom are in Homa Bay County. Police also intend to analyze call data records from the deceased, Aroko, and other suspects, and to interrogate Aroko on the findings.
Aroko was arrested after being implicated in the probe into the MP’s murder.
Were was shot and killed on April 30, 2025, along Valley Road in Nairobi. So far, 12 suspects—including the alleged gunman—have been arrested. The murder weapon has also been recovered.
by CYRUS OMBATI
