Gladys Wanga Denies Ordering Philip Aroko's Arrest Over Ong'ondo Were's Murder: "I've No Role"
- Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga denied claims that she influenced the arrest of politician Philip Aroko over MP Ong’ondo Were’s murder
- Wanga urged residents to maintain peace and unity as the county prepares to lay the late Kasipul MP to rest
- The governor praised investigative agencies for making steady progress in the ongoing murder probe
TUKO.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
As mourners prepared to receive the body of slain Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga has firmly distanced herself from claims that she orchestrated the arrest of politician Philip Aroko in connection with the murder.
Source: UGC
Speaking at Kabunde Airstrip on Thursday, May 8, Wanga addressed the speculation head-on while receiving the late MP’s remains.
“I heard some saying the governor has done this and that. As the governor of Homa Bay, I have no role in the investigation,” Wanga said.
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“All we are planning here is to give our brother a good sendoff. And all we are asking of our people, let us remain peaceful. Let us give our brother a dignified send-off. Let’s leave the investigation to the respective agencies,” she added.
Wanga praised the people of Homa Bay for remaining calm despite rising tensions following Were’s killing.
“I want to thank the people of Homa Bay for remaining calm, very peaceful, and for being very patient. Tomorrow, we have a duty of giving the MP an honourable, dignified sendoff,” she said.
The governor also expressed confidence in the work of investigative agencies, noting visible progress in the ongoing probe.
“We allow the investigative agencies to do their work. They have made progress, which we appreciate. So that is our message, let’s give the MP a dignified sendoff and shame the devil,” she added.
Were was shot dead on the evening of Wednesday, April 30, near City Mortuary roundabout, Nairobi. He will be laid to rest on Friday, May 9, at his home in Kachien village, Kasipul constituency.
Source: Twitter
Did Philip Aroko have a role in MP Ong’ondo Were’s death?
In a previous story by TUKO.co.ke, Aroko spoke out after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) named him a person of interest in the murder of Were.
Accompanied by his lawyers led by Danstan Omari, Aroko presented himself at the DCI’s Gigiri offices on Wednesday, May 7. He confirmed he was aware of the summons and insisted he was ready to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Omari claimed his client was being politically targeted to prevent him from attending the burial of the late MP.
He said unnamed politicians fear Aroko’s growing influence and were allegedly plotting to have him charged with murder.
Aroko, who was Were's competitor for the Kasipul MP seat in 2022, had previously expressed sorrow over the late lawmaker’s death, sharing a condolence message on social media and urging the DCI to carry out a thorough investigation.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
