Philip Aroko: How suspect in Ong'ondo Were's murder rose from taxi driver to mysterious tycoon

He cuts the figure of a polished, God-fearing gentleman. With eloquent public speeches and a generous hand that has changed the fortunes of many, Philip Aroko, the man now at the centre of the murder probe into Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were, has long been perceived as a saviour in waiting. But behind the gleam of his public image lies a murkier tale. Aroko's path to fortune and influence, sources reveal, is paved not only with philanthropy but also with a trail of legal battles, frequent run-ins with law enforcement, allegations of fraud and association with Kenya's underground gold trade. Aroko, known in his home village of Kachieng' Bongu in East Kamagak Ward simply as Japesa, the rich man, once lived a life indistinguishable from that of his neighbours. He built his simba, the traditional bachelor hut, with cheap iron sheets like every other Luo youth. Then, about 12 years ago, he vanished to Nairobi in search of work. Some of his neighbours question how he managed to amass huge wealth after leaving the village for Nairobi. According to sources privy to his activities, Aroko started his life in Nairobi as a taxi operator. "He went to Nairobi to look for work. By good luck, huge doors opened for him, and he came back as a rich man who can even sponsor medical camps," said a neighbour. At first, he was just another cab driver hustling the capital's streets. But fortune, or something like it, soon smiled upon him. He returned home a few years later, not only with a bulging wallet but with plans fit for a five-star resort. His opulent homestead stunned locals. Many newcomers mistook it for a luxury lodge under construction. "Even the elders couldn't explain his wealth," a neighbour remarked. "He was just one of us-and then, suddenly, he was untouchable." The gold trail and a string of charges According to police, Aroko's transformation from taxi driver to tycoon is tethered to Kenya's shadowy gold trade. Police sources claim he is among a group of influential men who have amassed wealth in mysterious ways, scamming their way to financial success through a controversial gold business. In 2018, he was charged alongside four others with allegedly defrauding Brazilian national Samir Entorno of Sh23 million under the guise of selling and shipping eight kilograms of gold to Dubai. The five were accused that on diverse dates between May 15, 2018, and June 9, 2018, at different places in Nairobi, jointly with others not before the court, with intent to defraud, they obtained from Samir Entorno Sh23 million by falsely pretending that they were in a position to sell and ship 8 kilograms of gold to Dubai. "Aroko has a case in Kibera Law Courts, while Ismael has a case of similar nature at Milimani Law Courts in which a warrant of arrest was issued against him," police officer Gerald Kamwaro said in an affidavit. In 2021, however, the Director of Public Prosecutions moved to terminate the case on the grounds that he could not reach the complainant in the case who had flown to Brazil for treatment. In 2019, Aroko was arrested in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, alongside 13 others found with suspected fake gold. The same year, he was charged again-this time accused of swindling Sh300 million from Sounthorn Chanthavong, a director at Simoung Group Company, under the pretext of another gold deal. In court filings, Officer Kamwaro described Aroko as a "habitual offender" with active cases in both Kibera and Milimani law courts. But as others wept after Aroko allegedly defrauded them, back at home, Aroko was a different man. He was a philanthropist who shared his success with villagers. He organised medical camps to support the needy and harboured parliamentary ambitions. "We used to live with him in the village as an ordinary man. But he went to Nairobi and came back home as a rich man after a few years," said another villagemate. According to the source who sought anonymity, Aroko was an ordinary man in his village at Kachieng' Bongu in East Kamagak Ward. "His lifestyle could easily be determined with the normal and cheap iron sheet he used in constructing his simba," she said. But then he returned home and constructed a grand home. "Visitors to our village thought a five-star hotel was being constructed. They wondered how he had been blessed and how he has managed to crack the anti-poverty code," she added. "He gained a new nickname, Japesa (a rich man), in the village. Today, he is considered a very rich man. He is a totally different man from the one I knew before," she added. Another man who is a resident of his village said Aroko's visit to Nairobi was the turning point in the acquisition of his wealth. "I cannot dispute someone's wealth because that is his luck. What we have to admit is that Aroko's visit to Nairobi transformed his life," he said. Aroko's changed social status endeared him to the people. In September 2023, some residents of Kasipul reportedly told him to vie for the Kasipul parliamentary seat in the 2027 election. Keen to win over residents to create a launchpad for the election, he started to host medical camps and supported residents financially. He could sponsor health workers from private hospitals for health outreach programmes in villages. Political tensions Aroko has been attending many funerals to mourn with residents. His rising profile did not go unnoticed. For MP Ong'ondo Were, Aroko's growing popularity-and perhaps more critically, his perceived bottomless pockets-appeared to pose a serious threat. This seemingly made Were, who was killed last week, perceive him as a serious competitor in the 2027 general election. Tensions between the two camps simmered, eventually boiling over into violence that rocked the constituency as supporters of the two leaders clashed several times. One of the incidents occurred in April at Kabuor village, where fighting broke out between Were and Aroko's supporters. "Were arrived in the funeral with goons who were armed with pangas. In a few minutes, the goons started to assault people, leading to injuries and destruction of vehicles," said a villager. He said it was Aroko's money that had instilled fear in Were. "Aroko appeared as a very rich man. This made Were feel intimidated that he would be challenged in defending his seat come 2027," he added. Samuel Owida, a political observer in Kasipul, said Aroko was known beyond his village after declaring his interest in the Kasipul parliamentary seat. "Aroko was not known in this constituency until he declared his interest in the parliamentary seat," Owida said.According to Owida, Aroko was always on the receiving end of the violence. "It was Were who used to attack Aroko," he claims.

Philip Aroko: How suspect in Ong'ondo Were's murder rose from taxi driver to mysterious tycoon

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