Court orders MP Were’s bodyguard to undergo mental assessment before being charged
A Nairobi court has, on June 4, 2025, granted the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) 14 days to conduct a mental assessment for two persons of interest in the murder of the late Kasipul Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Ong’ondo Were.
The duo, Allan Ogola, who was MP Were’s bodyguard, and Isaac Kuria, were present in court virtually from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters.
Appearing before Lady Justice Margaret Muigai at the Milimani High Court, the DPP, through Allen Mulama, said that they needed more time to conduct the mental assessment on the two before they were officially charged.
“My lady, we are requesting to be given some more time to conduct a mental assessment for the two suspects, which is done at the Mbagathi Hospital,” Mulama told the court.
Further, lawyer Mulama requested the court to instruct the Deputy Registrar (DR) to assign pro bono lawyers to represent the two in court during their trial.
“My lady, we equally request the Deputy Registrar to assign advocates for these two suspects,” the DPP urged the court.
The DPP also requested to have the two be remanded at Kamiti Maximum Prison pending trial, arguing that they have other persons of interest who are set to take a plea at Kibera High Court before Justice Diana Kavedza, and they would be held at Lang’ata Prison.
He added that, due to the nature of the murder case, they wish to hold the persons of interest in different places to ensure they have done a thorough investigation on the matter and there is no interference.
“My lady, going to the nature of the case and the fact that there are several suspects that are going to be presented in court in the fullness of time, we wish to have them be held separately as we pursue other investigative measures, including plea bargains,” DPP told the court.
Lady Justice Muigai directed that the mental assessment be conducted on the two at the Mbagathi Hospital.
She also ordered the deputy registrar in the criminal division to facilitate legal representation for the two through the pro bono committee.
Additionally, Justice Muigai granted the DPP’s request to have the two be remanded at the Kamiti prison for the next 14 days.
The matter will be mentioned on June 18, 2025, for further directions.
