Philip Aroko: Homa Bay Businessman Cleared in MP Ong’ondo Were’s Murder
- Philip Aroko was acquitted on Thursday, June 26, after the court found insufficient evidence linking him to the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were
- All previous travel and contact restrictions were lifted, allowing Aroko to return freely to Homa Bay County as he prepared to testify as a state witness
- Aroko, who had denied involvement and criticised political interference in the investigation, had been detained on bond in early May before being released on KSh 300,000 bail
Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with TUKO. Enroll Now!
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
A hush fell over the courtroom before relief finally broke through for Philip Aroko after a tense month of legal battles in Nairobi.
Source: UGC
On Thursday, June 26, a Nairobi court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a credible link between the Homa Bay businessman and the fatal shooting of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
Philip Aroko’s road to freedom
The businessman's name first emerged in connection with the murder of Ong’ondo Were in early May, when the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) summoned him to assist with the probe.
Accompanied by renowned lawyer Danstan Omari, Aroko appeared at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi where he vehemently denied any involvement in the assassination.
However, his public denial did not shield him from legal action. He was promptly booked at Gigiri Police Station, then quietly moved and presented at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts on May 9.
His legal team, which had raised alarm over his unknown whereabouts, insisted on transparency as pressure mounted on authorities to account for his detention.
The prosecution told the court that Aroko had emerged as a key suspect, claiming he had issued threats to the slain MP and even allegedly financed the assassination.
With those claims on the table, JKIA Law Courts Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi ordered that Aroko be detained for seven working days to allow for further investigations. He was held at Kileleshwa Police Station.
When Aroko reappeared in court on May 16, the magistrate granted him a bond of KSh 300,000 with strict conditions.
He was required to surrender his passport, avoid travel to Homa Bay County, and steer clear of the victim’s family, fellow suspects or anyone connected to the case. He was also cautioned against interfering with evidence.
Source: Facebook
Did Gladys Wanga push for Philip Aroko’s arrest?
In a related development previously covered by TUKO.co.ke, Aroko linked the summons to political interference.
Aroko claimed that Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga had influenced the investigation and played a role in getting him summoned.
He alleged that the governor was targeting him over political differences, accusing her of orchestrating a smear campaign and using her influence to manipulate law enforcement.
He further suggested that his summons followed a direct call made by the governor to authorities as part of a broader scheme to silence opposing political voices in Homa Bay.
Wanga, however, publicly denied any involvement in Aroko’s summons or the investigation. Speaking during the reception of the late MP’s body, she urged residents to remain calm and allow the authorities to conduct a proper and independent investigation.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
