Court denies bail to key suspects in MP Ong'ondo Were's murder, cites threats to witnesses

Three suspects accused of the brutal murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong'ondo Were will remain behind bars after the High Court in Kibera denied them bond, citing serious concerns over witness safety and the potential for interference. In the ruling, Lady Justice Diana Kavedza dismissed bail applications by William Imoli, also known as Imo; Edwin Oduor Odhiambo, alias Machuani; and Ebel Ochieng, alias Dave Calo. The court found that prosecutors had presented compelling grounds to justify their continued detention. "The prosecution asserts that key witnesses are close relatives and acquaintances of the accused. These witnesses have reportedly expressed fear for their safety and are currently under witness protection, which itself suggests a serious perceived threat," Justice Kavedza ruled. ??????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????The Kibera High Court has denied bond to three suspects charged with the murder of Hon. Charles Ong'ondo Were, the Member of Parliament for Kasipul Constituency.In a ruling delivered on 14th August 2025,... pic.twitter.com/RF9G7CnVJb - Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) August 14, 2025 The judge further noted that the severity of the allegations, coupled with the accused's close ties to witnesses, heightened the risk of interference. She also highlighted claims that the murder was carried out in an organised and coordinated manner. The court was told that during a June 3 court appearance, the accused openly made threatening remarks, including a chilling question, "Who is this who does not want us to be released? We shall believe", allegedly aimed at the prosecution. Justice Kavedza described such behaviour, especially issuing death threats in a public courtroom, as a "calculated and malicious attempt to instil fear." "This threat, made in a public setting, could not be ignored by witnesses, court officers, and the investigating officer," she added. The decision followed a 16 June 2025 application by the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking to have the trio denied bail, arguing that their release could lead to witness intimidation, absconding, and a threat to public safety. While the three suspects will remain in custody, the court scheduled 22 September 2025 for a bond hearing for two other accused persons, Isaac Kuria Chege, alias Kush, and Allan Omondi Ogola. In an affidavit opposing bail, a homicide investigator from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations detailed each suspect's alleged role in the killing. The firearm believed to have fired the fatal shots was reportedly recovered from Odhiambo. Shigali, prosecutors allege, was the driver of the vehicle used to trail the MP from Parliament, with phone records placing him at the precincts for a significant part of the day. Ochieng is accused of procuring a mobile phone and fraudulently registering a SIM card used in coordinating the murder, which was later destroyed. The five suspects were charged afresh after the DPP consolidated two separate murder cases initially filed at the Kibera and Milimani law courts. The court heard that Hon. Were was ambushed and shot dead on the evening of 30 April 2025 at around 7:40 p.m., near the City Mortuary Roundabout along Ngong Road in Kilimani, Nairobi County.

Court denies bail to key suspects in MP Ong'ondo Were's murder, cites threats to witnesses

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Court denies bail to key suspects in MP Ong'ondo Were's murder, cites threats to witnesses

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