The Director of Public Prosecutions has decided to appeal the court’s decision to release businessman Philip Aroko on a Sh300,000 cash bail. Aroko is one of the suspects being investigated over the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ongondo Were.
The bail was granted by the JKIA Law Courts where Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi issued several strict conditions for Aroko’s temporary freedom.
Among the conditions given, Aroko was ordered to hand over his passport to the court and was banned from travelling to Homa Bay, which is the home county of the late MP. The court also ruled that he must not contact the family members of the deceased, any co-suspects, or anyone linked to the case.
He was also warned against interfering with the ongoing investigation or trying to tamper with any evidence. In addition, Aroko has to keep reporting to the investigating officers as required and cooperate fully in the case.
Even though the magistrate granted bail, the prosecution was not pleased with the decision. They had argued that Aroko should remain in custody because the case has a high public interest and investigations are still ongoing.
Aroko is part of a group of 12 suspects who are being investigated over the murder of the MP. The court has set the next mention of the case for June 3, 2025, but the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions quickly filed an appeal. According to an affidavit sworn by Inspector Oliver Nabonwe, Aroko had recently given new information during interrogation which police believe could help in solving the case.
Because of this new information, they are requesting more time before deciding whether to officially charge him with murder. The investigator also said that they are still waiting for a cybercrime and forensic report from the National Forensic Laboratory, which they believe will help them interrogate Aroko further.
For this reason, they want Aroko to remain physically available for more questioning. The prosecution further added that a financial report from the Financial Reporting Centre is yet to be submitted.
This report will help investigators look into any financial links related to the case. The affidavit also mentioned that after talking to other suspects who are in custody, new witnesses have been discovered. Their statements have not yet been recorded and this will also take time.
The police are asking for seven more days to carry out their investigations based on the new information Aroko shared. They need time to trace the new witnesses, some of whom are believed to be in Homa Bay County, and take their statements.
They are also analyzing the phone call data of Aroko, the deceased, and other suspects to establish more details around the crime. Aroko was arrested after being named in the investigations into the death of MP Ongondo Were, who was shot dead on April 30, 2025, along Valley Road in Nairobi.
So far, 12 suspects have been arrested, including the one believed to have pulled the trigger. Police say they have also recovered the murder weapon and other items connected to the killing.
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