Court orders govt to produce Aroko in court by Monday
Nairobi High Court on Friday, May 9, 2025, issued an order to the state to produce Philip Aroko, a person of interest in the death of the late Kasipul Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Ong’ondo Were, in court.
Issuing the order, Justice Alexander Muteti directed that the state should produce Aroko in court by Monday, May 12, 2025, and explain why he was not arraigned in court or even released on bond.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the legal team representing Aroko, led by Lawyer Danstan Omari, filed a petition at the Milimani High Court Criminal Division demanding that their client be produced in court dead or alive.
In the application, the legal team sought to have the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, compelled to produce Aroko in any court immediately.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this application, this Honourable Court be pleased to direct the 1st respondent (DCI) and the 2nd Respondent (IG) either singularly or jointly with the other respondents (Attorney General (AG) and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to immediately and unconditionally present the applicant (Philip Aroko) before this court to be dealt with according to law,” part of the petition read.
Further, lawyer Omari sought to have his client released immediately and unconditionally from what he says is unlawful and illegal custody pending the hearing and determination of the application.
In an affidavit to support the petition, Omari stated that his client denies any involvement in the tragic death of the Kasipul MP Were and has no relevant information regarding the same.
According to the court papers, Aroko, who is currently detained at Gigiri Police Station, was expected to be arraigned at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court at 9:00 am, but the lawyers say he has not yet been produced in court.
Lawyer Omari also revealed that authorities have barred him, Aroko’s family and associates from accessing him or securing his release on police bond, citing frustrations from the police.
“Since his detention, attempts by his counsel, family members, and associates to access him or secure his release on police bond have been actively frustrated, further reinforcing the legitimate fear that the respondents (DCI, IG, AG and DPP) intend to protract his detention beyond constitutionally permissible limits,” Lawyer Omari stated.
He also argued that his client is entitled to be treated in accordance with the Constitution, particularly Article 49(1) (f), which demands that any person arrested be presented before a court of law within 24 hours.
