The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has lodged an appeal against the decision to release businessman Philip Aroko on a Sh300,000 cash bail in connection with the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
Aroko was granted bail by Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts, despite opposition from the prosecution which argued that the case remains under active investigation and is of high public interest.
As part of his bail conditions, Aroko was ordered to surrender his passport, refrain from traveling to Homa Bay County,the home region of the deceased,and avoid contact with witnesses, co-suspects, or anyone connected to the case.
He was also directed not to interfere with evidence and to report regularly to the investigating officers.
In a notice of appeal filed shortly after the ruling on Friday, the ODPP contested the release, citing ongoing investigations and the need for Aroko’s continued detention.
The appeal is supported by an affidavit sworn by Inspector Oliver Nabonwe, who revealed that Aroko has recently provided new information requiring further investigation.
According to the affidavit, a cybercrime and forensic report from the National Forensic Laboratory is still pending.
The report is expected to inform further interrogations, which investigators say require Aroko’s physical presence.
Similarly, a financial report from the Financial Reporting Centre has not yet been received, and is deemed crucial for pursuing the financial trail in the murder probe.
Inspector Nabonwe added that interrogation of suspects currently in custody has led to the identification of additional witnesses whose statements are yet to be recorded, some of whom are located in Homa Bay.
Police also need more time to analyze phone records belonging to the deceased, Aroko, and other suspects.
Aroko is among 12 individuals under investigation for the murder of MP Were, who was shot dead on April 30, 2025, along Valley Road in Nairobi.
Police have confirmed the recovery of the murder weapon and other exhibits.
One of the arrested suspects is believed to be the individual who pulled the trigger.
The ODPP is now seeking at least seven more days to complete the investigations before determining whether to formally charge Aroko with murder.
The case will be mentioned again on June 3, 2025.
