The driver and bodyguard to Kaspul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were were Tuesday arrested in the ongoing probe into his murder.
The two were detained by detectives handling the matter after they gave inconsistent statements on what they knew or did not know about the murder.
They were not hurt when a gunman opened fire at a traffic jam in Nairobi killing Were on the spot. An autopsy has shown he was shot five times and that the bullets raptured vital organs including his heart.
Were who was serving his second term in Parliament was shot and killed on April 30 along Valley Road near the City Mortuary.
His driver and bodyguard who was seated on the backseat escaped unhurt.
The bodyguard jumped out of the car as the gunman had hoped onto a getaway motorcycle. Witnesses said he chased the motorcycle for a short distance before he raced back to the car to join the driver and rushed the bleeding MP to then nearby Nairobi Hospital.
The detectives handling the matter have been moving around with the two to reconstruct scenes where the MP was before he was trailed and shot dead.
“We are holding them as accomplices for now. Their story on this issue is not adding up,” said an insider in the probe.
This came as police on Tuesday raided houses in Kayole in search of a pistol that was used in the mission.
Ballistic tests show the weapon had been used to commit crimes in three incidents in Kayole, Komarocks and Ndumberi in Kiambu County.
This followed an analysis on spent bullets that were recovered from the scene of the shooting and the deceased’s body.
Four suspects are in custody over the murder which happened
One of the suspects arrested had Sh615,000 in his house in Nairobi believed to have been paid for the mission.
Detectives are trying to establish the source of the money and the motive.
Police in the operation also found several police uniforms and multiple mobile phones, which are currently being examined for evidence.
The suspects William Imoli Shighali alias Omar Shakur, Juma Ali Haikal, Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame will remain in custody for 30 calendar days pending investigations.
Shighali who reportedly has links to the extremist Mujahidin gang, was arrested at Zeitun Lounge in Roysambu alongside Wambugu and Kagame.
The trio subsequently led detectives to the home of police officer, Juma Ali Hikal in Pangani area, where a vehicle believed to have been used in the assassination was recovered.
Court documents indicate that the suspects were in communication before and after the assassination. CCTV footage, which investigators described as pivotal, showed Shighali trailing MP Were along Nairobi’s Wabera Street.
He was seen carrying a bag believed to have concealed the murder weapon and wearing police boots later found at Hikal’s residence.
A search of Hikal’s home uncovered ammunition, teargas canisters, and other paraphernalia now under forensic analysis.
At Shighali’s residence, detectives recovered several police uniforms, over USD 4,800 in cash, and multiple mobile phones currently being examined for evidence.
“Thousands of minutes of CCTV footage have been reviewed in an attempt to reconstruct the final moments of the late MP,” said the prosecution during the court session.
“Nine live rounds of ammunition and teargas canisters were also found at the second respondent’s home.”
Investigators believe the killing may have been orchestrated by an organized criminal network with access to significant financial resources.
Authorities are also pursuing several other suspects, including a boda boda rider alleged to have facilitated the assassins’ escape and individuals believed to have communicated with the core suspects.
The investigation, described as highly complex, is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, with planned follow-up operations in Homa Bay County and beyond
Police say they are looking for more suspects including a police officer believed to have played a central role in orchestrating the killing.
Investigators revealed that the officer allegedly used a newly registered mobile number, now deactivated and registered under a false identity, to coordinate with the assailants.
A Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Chief Magistrate court allowed the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to detain the four suspects for 30 days pending probe.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula Tuesday called on the country’s criminal justice system to conduct an exhaustive investigation into the fatal shooting of Were.
He asked that those responsible be brought to justice without delay.
Speaking to the press at Lee Funeral Home, where he led a delegation of lawmakers to view the late MP’s body, Wetang’ula condemned the killing as a “cowardly act” and demanded that no stone be left unturned in the quest for accountability.
“This is an unfortunate and heinous act. It must be met with the full force of the law,” Wetang’ula said, adding that relevant agencies must act decisively to apprehend those behind the attack.
He emphasized the need for urgent reforms within the security apparatus tasked with protecting Members of Parliament.
He proposed retraining and reequipping police officers assigned to lawmakers to ensure they are adequately prepared for their roles.
“Parliament will work closely with the National Police Service to strengthen the capacity of officers assigned to protect MPs,” he said.
He further urged legislators to fully utilize their assigned security personnel for their own safety.
The body of the late MP will be airlifted to Homa Bay County on Thursday ahead of his burial on Friday in Kachien Village, Kasipul Constituency.
The burial is expected to draw numerous high-ranking dignitaries and political leaders from across the country.
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