Ong'ondo Were: Judge Hints at Concluding Late MP's Murder Case Within 4 Months

• The prosecution has lined up 35 witnesses in the murder case of former Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, who was shot shortly after leaving Parliament
• The Kibera High Court denied bail to three suspects, citing the gravity of the charges and potential interference with the case
• Justice Diana Kavedza disclosed the time frame within which she aims to conclude the high-profile murder trial, with the next mention date also set

Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Nairobi: Investigations into the assassination of former Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were are ongoing, with the prosecution lining up 35 witnesses for the high-profile case.

Were was fatally shot at the City Mortuary roundabout along Ngong Road, just minutes after leaving Parliament on the evening of April 30, 2025.

Several suspects were arrested in connection with the murder, and some reportedly confessed to being paid to carry out the assassination.

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Investigators have also made significant progress, recovering key items believed to have been used in the crime, including a pistol and a motorbike.

Despite these developments, many Kenyans have continued to call for swift justice amid a worrying rise in murder cases across the country.

Aware of the public outcry and the gravity of the charges, Kibera High Court Judge Diana Kavedza denied bail to three suspects—William Imoli alias Imo, Edwin Oduor Odhiambo alias Machuani, and Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo—when they appeared before the court on Tuesday, June 17.

During their previous arraignment on June 4, 2025, it was reported that Ochieng openly issued an explicit threat to one of the prosecution counsels in court—a move that was formally recorded by the judge.

Prosecuting officer Evelyn Onunga urged the court to keep the accused in custody, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk of interference with the ongoing investigations.

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When will Ong'ondo Were's case conclude?

In response, Justice Kavedza ordered probation and investigation officers to prepare a detailed pre-bail report within 30 days.

The judge further indicated her intention to conclude the case within four months to ensure timely justice.

“With 20 witnesses and a proper pre-trial, I expect this case to conclude within four months,” said Justice Kavedza. “Do not bring me stories of 100 investigating officers or 50 arresting officers. You can pick one or two so that we move with speed. You can see the anxiety this case has created.”

The matter is scheduled for mention on July 17, 2025, for further directions. Until then, the suspects will remain in custody.

What else you need to know about Ong'ondo Were's murder

• Politician Philip Aroko was released on KSh 300,000 bail but under strict conditions
• The slain MP raised concerns about his safety weeks before he was killed
• Were's bodyguard was arrested in connection with the murder incident despite his earlier account

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Were Ong'ondo Were's murder suspects hired to kill him?

Meanwhile, investigations into Were's murder suggested that the suspects were hired to carry out the assassination.

Authorities revealed the suspects allegedly received a down payment of KSh 850,000 to execute the killing.

One of the suspects, Imoli, claimed that the MP's bodyguard, Allan Omondi, sent him KSh 80,000 to transport unidentified individuals to the crime scene.

The suspects further disclosed they were promised the remaining balance after completing the task.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke