Ong’ondo Were’s family fears his killers may go scot-free
By Zipporah Ngwatu, June 27, 2025The family of the late Kasipul Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Ong’ondo Were has expressed fears that the legislator’s killers may evade justice.
Through the family lawyer Apollo Mboya, the family indicated that some of the decisions that have been made in the case could be aimed at omitting and shielding individuals who may have been involved in his assassination.
In a letter addressed to the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Renson Ingonga, the deceased’s family raises their concern about whether their quest to get justice will be achieved.
Exclusion of individuals
Further, they state that they are worried that despite providing crucial information to assist the investigative team in their work, some decisions have been made that they feel are aimed at excluding some individuals who may be linked with the murder of the legislator.
“The victim’s family is therefore surprised and concerned that some of the main perpetrators of the heinous crime may escape the full force of the law and guise as State witnesses,” part of the letter to the DPP read.
Lawyer Mboya equally notes that his client specifically mentioned that there was a secret meeting that involved Ebel Ochieng, alias Dave Calo, and Allan Omondi Ogola, which Philip Nahashon Aroko also attended.
Notably, they reveal that there was a meeting at Acacia Premier Hotel Kisumu involving the late legislator, a former Member of County Assembly (MCA) of Nairobi County, and others, where the deceased was informed of the plans to assassinate him.
Assassination plan
“Meeting at Acacia Premier Hotel Kisumu involving the deceased, a former Member of County Assembly of Nairobi and others, in which the deceased was informed of the previous meeting convened by Philip Nahashon Aroko where a plan to assassinate the deceased was discussed,” part of the letter read.
The family now urges the DPP Director Ingonga to ensure he directs the police to investigate all the information and allegations of criminal conduct already provided to them by the family to ensure justice is served.
Three of the suspects in Were’s murder, on June 17, 2025, before Kibera High Court Judge Diana Kavedza, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge lodged against them by the DPP.
William Imoli Imo Shigali, Edwin Oduor Odhiambo and Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo denied committing the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
More persons of interest in the murder of Were, including his bodyguard Allan Omondi Ogola, among others, are expected to be charged with the said assassination.