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Post Reply: Businessman Philip Aroko to Testify as State Witness in High-Profile Murder Case of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on June 27, 2025, 9:05 am</div><div id="pl-6627"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-6627-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-6627-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell"  data-weight="1" ><div id="panel-6627-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" data-style="{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}" ><div
			
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	<p dir="ltr" data-pm-slice="0 0 []">In a dramatic turn of events, Homa Bay businessman and politician Philip Nahashon Aroko has been cleared of charges in the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were and will now serve as a state witness in the ongoing high-profile trial. The decision, announced on Thursday, June 26, 2025, marks a significant development in a case that has gripped the nation with its political undertones and allegations of orchestrated violence.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The assassination of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were on April 30, 2025, shocked the residents of Kasipul and the wider Kenyan public. The legislator was gunned down in Nairobi’s evening traffic near the City Mortuary roundabout by a gunman, believed to have been accompanied by an accomplice on a motorbike. The brazen nature of the attack, described by authorities as a targeted killing, sparked immediate outrage and calls for swift justice.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Following the murder, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched a comprehensive probe, arresting 11 suspects, including Aroko, in connection with the crime. Aroko, a prominent businessman and aspiring politician with ambitions to contest the Kasipul parliamentary seat in the 2027 general elections, quickly became a central figure in the investigation. Initial allegations suggested his involvement in financing and organizing the assassination, claims he vehemently denied.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On May 7, 2025, the DCI named Aroko a person of interest, ordering him to surrender to the nearest police station for questioning. Accompanied by his legal team, led by renowned advocate Danstan Omari, Aroko presented himself at Gigiri Police Station, asserting his innocence and accusing Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga of orchestrating a political witch-hunt against him. “I have nothing to do with the death of the MP,” Aroko declared to the press, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with investigators.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Despite his initial release on a KSh 300,000 cash bail on May 16, 2025, with strict conditions (including surrendering his passport and restrictions on traveling to Homa Bay or contacting the victim’s family) Aroko was rearrested days later as the DCI intensified its probe. The prosecution alleged that Aroko had played a financial role in the murder, citing communication records and financial transactions linking him to the planning of the crime. The state also claimed that the late MP had previously reported threats from Aroko to the DCI, further complicating his defense.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Aroko’s legal team argued that the accusations were politically motivated, pointing to his rivalry with Governor Wanga and his growing influence in Kasipul politics. During a court appearance on May 9, 2025, Aroko opposed a prosecution request for a 30-day detention, citing health concerns and family obligations. The court granted a seven-day detention at Kileleshwa Police Station, allowing investigators to pursue critical leads.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On June 26, 2025, a Nairobi court delivered a pivotal ruling, acquitting Aroko of any direct involvement in the murder due to insufficient evidence. The decision came after a thorough review of the evidence by the DCI, which failed to establish a credible link between Aroko and the fatal shooting. Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga announced that Aroko would now serve as a state witness, a move that has shifted the focus of the trial toward other suspects.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The court’s ruling lifted all previous restrictions on Aroko, allowing him to return to Homa Bay County freely and resume his political activities. In a statement, Aroko expressed relief and gratitude, noting his intent to cooperate fully with the prosecution to ensure justice for MP Were. “I have always maintained my innocence, and I am ready to assist in uncovering the truth,” he said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The decision to turn Aroko into a state witness has sparked varied reactions. Supporters in Homa Bay celebrated the ruling, with Aroko’s family holding special prayers to mark what they described as a “moment of closure.” The businessman’s allies view his clearance as a vindication of his character and a boost to his political aspirations in Kasipul, where he is positioning himself as a unifying candidate for the 2027 elections.</p>
<p dir="ltr">However, critics argue that Aroko’s new role as a state witness raises questions about the strength of the prosecution’s case and the true masterminds behind the murder. The case has already seen three other suspects charged with murder, including one found in possession of the firearm used in the killing and another linked to the vehicle used to trail the MP’s car. Authorities have hinted at the involvement of individuals close to the late MP, adding layers of complexity to the investigation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The murder of MP Were has been steeped in political intrigue from the outset. Aroko’s earlier accusations against Governor Wanga, whom he claimed was behind his summons, highlighted the toxic political climate in Homa Bay County. In a public statement, Aroko alleged that the county government was complicit in employing individuals involved in political violence, though he provided no concrete evidence to support these claims.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has reiterated the government’s commitment to bringing all perpetrators to justice, describing the murder as a “heinous crime” that will not go unpunished. With Aroko now assisting the prosecution, investigators are expected to focus on verifying additional leads, including alleged planning meetings held in Homa Bay, Nairobi, and Nakuru, and tracing further financial transactions tied to the crime.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The loss of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were has left a void in Kasipul, where he was regarded as a dedicated representative. Aroko, who once shared a cordial relationship with the late MP (evidenced by a widely circulated photo of them shaking hands at a past event) has expressed his desire to pay tribute to Were by visiting his grave and engaging with constituents. “I want to honor his memory and work toward a peaceful Kasipul,” Aroko stated through his legal team.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the trial progresses, the nation awaits further developments in this complex case, which continues to expose the intersection of politics, power, and violence in Kenya. For now, Philip Aroko’s transformation from suspect to state witness represents a new chapter in the pursuit of justice for a fallen leader.</p>
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