The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has ordered Philip Nahashon Aroko to surrender immediately to the nearest police station over the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were.

In a statement issued late on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, DCI directed Aroko to honour the summons and surrender immediately.

DCI made it clear that complying with the summons was mandatory.

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations requests Philip Nahashon Aroko to surrender immediately to the nearest police station. He is a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the brutal murder of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were. Compliance with this request is mandatory,” DCI’s statement published on X read in part.

Detectives further implored those with information on his whereabouts to share it with them.

“We also appeal to anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or use our toll-free numbers: 999, 112, or #FichuaKwaDCI (0800 722 203). All information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.”

DCI, however, did not delve deeper into the scope of information following the summoning of Aroko.

Minutes after DCI published the order, Aroko, accompanied by lawyer Danstan Omar, vowed to honour the summons. Aroko specifically said he would present himself at the nearest police station.

Uncover the mastermind

The summoning order came hours after Charles Were’s family asked investigative agencies to unmask those who masterminded the attack.

Speaking during the requiem mass in Nairobi, Boid Were demanded that arresting those who executed the mission should be the end of the murder probe.

“As a family, we are grateful for the kindness and support. As I conclude, as a family, all we want is justice for dad. I know there are four people who have been apprehended, but we not only want to know the people who did it, we want to know the people who sponsored it, the people behind the scenes, the people calling the shots,” Boid stated.

Other lawmakers, including South Mugirango MP Silvanos Osoro and Kisii Governor Simba Arati, raised suspicion over the fatal shooting, asking the investigative officers to track those who sponsored the heinous killing of Charles Were.

Betrayed from within

Earlier, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had claimed that Were could have been betrayed and eliminated by someone within his circle. He announced that the perpetrators and the masterminds would serve as an example.

“Luckily, it is within my knowledge that we have made very significant progress in arresting the perpetrators and their collaborators, and it will shock you to note that this is a very heinous crime that was done in a very cavalier manner, involving people that ordinarily should have taken good care of the interests of the MP,” Murkomen stated.

Weapon recovered

As part of the investigations, police revealed that a murder weapon suspected to have been used to take out Charles Were had been recovered. The weapon was found in a house in the Chokaa area of Kayole on Tuesday night, May 6, 2025, after a daylong search, police said.

The murder pistol will undergo ballistic analysis to determine its ownership and usage.

Preliminary reports indicate that the police are also questioning Were’s bodyguard and driver in connection with the murder.