Video: Emotional Moment as MP Were's Driver Prays with Family after Being Turned into State Witness
- Walter Owino Awino, driver to slain Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, was released after the prosecution withdrew charges against him
- The prosecution revealed Awino will now serve as a key state witness in the murder case, marking a major shift in the investigation
- An emotional scene unfolded outside JKIA Law Courts as Awino and his family prayed and thanked God following his release
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Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Slain Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong'ondo Were's driver Walter Owino Awino has been released.
Source: UGC
On Tuesday, June 3, Awino appeared before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's Law Courts for the mention of the MP's murder.
Is Walter Awino a state witness?
However, in a twist, the prosecution withdrew the charges against Awino but instead informed the court that he will be a key state witness in the case.
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There was an emotional moment after Awino, who had spent several weeks in custody over links to the assassination of his former boss, was released.
In a video shared by Citizen TV, Awino and his close family members could be seen outside the JKIA Law Courts praying.
They are seen holding hands, emotionally thanking God for the decision that was made by the prosecution to free their kin.
From the video, it was clear that the family felt relieved by the latest development in Were's murder case.
Awino was among people who were arrested and charged in connection to the murder of the Kasipul lawmaker.
Awino was driving the Kasipul lawmaker on the day he was shot dead by armed assailants near City Mortuary Roundabout on April 30, 2025.
Was Philip Aroko freed over MP Were's murder?
In other news, businessman and politician Philip Aroko, who was linked to the murder of the Kasipul lawmaker, was been released on bail.
On Tuesday, May 27, Kibera High Court judge Diana Kavedza upheld the cash bail of KSh 300,000 previously granted by the JKIA court and ordered Aroko’s release.
The judge also set additional bail conditions which Aroko must comply with pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Among these conditions, the businessman is prohibited from entering Homa Bay County or coming near its boundaries.
Furthermore, Aroko must surrender his passport to the court and is barred from contacting any witnesses or suspects connected to the assassination of Were.
Source: Facebook
Will Aroko vie for Kasipul MP seat?
Despite being a suspect in the murder of Were, Aroko has expressed interest in succeeding the late member of parliament.
Aroko has maintained that he is innocent and has nothing to hide or bar him from exercising his democratic right to contest for a political seat in Kasipul.
During the hearing of a bond application, his lawyer, Danstan Omari, told the court that his client was interested in contesting the election, adding that his opponents were worried about his presence on the ground.
The advocate also asked the court to grant Aroko a bond so he could attend the burial of Were, saying he was only an opponent and not an enemy.
In his recent social media post, Aroko shared a cryptic message that was interpreted to mean he would be on the ballot.
The outspoken politician said, unless his tormentors kill God, whatever was meant to happen would still happen. He ended the post with his 'goodlife' slogan.
Other potential aspirants include the late MP's son, Boyd Were, who has emerged as ODM's favourite candidate.
Boyd recently visited ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and interacted with some senior party officials at parliament, signalling his interest in the seat.
What you need to know about MP Charles Were's murder
- Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced that 10 suspects had been arrested in connection with Were's murder.
- William Imoli, the first suspect arrested on Sunday, May 4, alleged that he was paid KSh 80,000 by the MP’s bodyguard to drop off unidentified individuals near the murder scene
- Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested a key suspect identified as Isaac Kuria on Sunday, May 11, in Isebania while attempting to flee to Tanzania
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
