One of the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo had Sh615,000 in his house in Nairobi.
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.
They will be held in separate police stations including Ruaraka, Muthaiga, Capitol Hill, and Kilimani.
Police allege they were part of a criminal enterprise that carefully tracked the legislator before orchestrating his execution on April 30, at the City Mortuary roundabout.
“The deceased was trailed from Parliament to the scene of his murder by a motor vehicle and a motorbike. CCTV footage shows individuals resembling the respondents closely following the MP’s car,” said Inspector Oliver Nabonwe.
During the arrests, police recovered several mobile phones, two vehicles, and in the homes of Shighali and Haikal, live ammunition, a spent cartridge, and teargas canisters.
Police say the phones are key to unlocking the suspects’ movements and communications around the time of the murder.
“We have established, through triangulation and witness accounts, that the respondents were in constant communication before, during, and after the incident. The mobile phones they were using must be subjected to forensic analysis,” said the police.
Police told the court that surveillance had been conducted on the MP days before the shooting, and the attackers were well-acquainted with his routine.
Police believe the murder was not random but a well-planned and executed operation.
“This is a highly organized and well-financed criminal enterprise. It has the tactical ability and the grit to carry out high-level assassinations,” said the prosecution.
The prosecution also told the court that on of them claimed to be an Administration Police officer, a claim under investigation, while some of the suspects gave inconsistent accounts of their whereabouts on the day of the murder.
The DCI also yet to visit the deceased MP’s home and office, and to trace witnesses in Kasipul, Homa Bay County, where Were served as MP.
They say this will help reconstruct his final hours and uncover possible motives.
The matter will be mentioned on June 5.
Were was shot and killed along Valley Road near City Mortuary on April 30, 2025 as he sat in a salon car in a traffic jam.
He had changed his car as part of his efforts to conceal his movements for security reasons.
But the killers had information on the changes and managed to trail him before gunning him down.
The motive of the murder is yet to be established.
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