New twist in Were murder probe as State officer held

Investigations into the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ongondo Were took a dramatic twist yesterday with the arrest of one of the board members of Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA).
The LBDA board member, believed to have paid the suspected killers, was arrested in Nakuru, hours after detectives recovered a pistol believed to have been used in the murder of Were in a major operation by police in Chokaa, Kayole.
Detectives pursuing the case link the murder to the rivalry between former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The arrested LBDA board member is said to enjoy close working relations with a senior influential personality in the Office of the President, whom he is said to have been in constant touch with on the day of the MP’s killing.
Second pistol
Earlier, Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) recovered another pistol and arrested two suspects who are suspected of having been given the firearm to hide.
In a dramatic twist, the MP’s driver and bodyguard were also arrested.
“The two, who were not hurt during the incident, gave conflicting statements on what they knew or did not know about the murder,” a detective said.
The two firearms were yesterday subjected to ballistic analysis to establish ownership and whether they had been used in other gun-related crimes.
An earlier analysis on the recovered spent cartridges and bullets from the scene and the deceased’s body had revealed that the weapon that was used in the murder of MP Were had been used in at least three crimes in Komarocks, Kayole in Nairobi and Ndumberi, Kiambu County.
The detectives also recovered a bag and shoes that a prime suspect in the murder wore on the day the MP was murdered, terming the recoveries a breakthrough in the probe.
The detectives are also investigating yet-to-be-confirmed reports that a senior government official and two other senior police officers, based in Homa Bay and Nairobi, respectively, could have been involved in the murder of the MP.
One of the killers is said to have been paid Sh850,000 with a promise that he would not be arrested, as the planners were well-connected government officials.
The Sh615,000 found in the house of one of the suspects is believed to be part of the money paid to the killers, according to police sources.
Reports also indicate Were had confided in one of the legislators that he was contemplating shifting from his Karen residence, saying it was isolated and this could make him an easy target. Were had also said he was targeted for elimination by opponents of Homa Bay Governor, Gladys Wanga.
The suspects in the Were case, William Imoli Shighali alias Omar Shakur, Juma Ali Haikal (a police officer), Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame, will remain in custody for 30 days as detectives conclude investigations.
Shighali, who reportedly has links to the extremist Mujahidin gang, was arrested at Zeitun Lounge in Roysambu alongside Wambugu and Kagame.
The trio led detectives to the home of police officer Juma Ali Hikal in Pangani, where a vehicle believed to have been used in the assassination was recovered.
Court documents indicate that the suspects were in communication before and after the assassination.
CCTV footage, which investigators described as pivotal, showed Shighali trailing MP Were along Nairobi’s Wabera Street.
He was seen carrying a bag believed to have concealed the murder weapon and wearing police boots later found at Hikal’s residence. A search of Hikal’s home uncovered ammunition, teargas canisters, and other paraphernalia now under forensic analysis.
At Shighali’s residence, detectives recovered several police uniforms, over $4,800 in cash, and multiple mobile phones currently being examined for evidence.
“Thousands of minutes of CCTV footage have been reviewed in an attempt to reconstruct the final moments of the late MP,” said the prosecution during the court session.
Nine live rounds of ammunition and teargas canisters were also found at the second respondent’s home, according to the detectives.
Authorities are also pursuing several other suspects, including a boda boda rider alleged to have facilitated the assassins’ escape and individuals believed to have communicated with the core suspects.
The investigation, described as highly complex, is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, with planned follow-up operations in Homa Bay County and beyond.
A Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Chief Magistrate court allowed the DCI to detain the four suspects for 30 days pending the probe.
They will be held in separate police stations, including Ruaraka, Muthaiga, Capitol Hill, and Kilimani.
“The deceased was trailed from Parliament to the scene of his murder by a motor vehicle and a motorbike. CCTV footage shows individuals resembling the respondents closely following the MP’s car,” said Inspector Oliver Nabonwe.
The body of the late MP will be airlifted to Homa Bay County today, ahead of his burial tomorrow in Kachien Village, Kasipul Constituency.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula yesterday led MPs in calling on the government to move with speed to unearth Were’s killers.
Sparked confusion
Wetang’ula, who spoke during the MP’s requiem mass at Consolata Shrine in Nairobi, said the death of Were has sparked confusion, which should end with a final statement from the investigative authorities.
“ We encourage the police not to narrow the investigations around the city mortuary. I have instructed the clerk to ensure that all CCTV footage around Parliament is provided,” said Wetang’ula.
The speaker further directed MPs to have their security personnel vetted
“We want to know what kind of men and women are guarding us. We will do thorough vetting,” he said.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi eulogised Were as a firm soldier of the Orange Democratic Movement.
“I am urging every one of you to have a firm stand like Were was. He was a great soldier of Raila Odinga. We should have a stand like Were,’ said Kingi.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi also urged the investigative agencies to move with speed and expose those behind Were’s.
“People back in Homa Bay are very agitated. They want to know why their MP was shot in cold blood. All those responsible should be brought to book,” he said.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga urged residents to uphold peace and unity during Were’s funeral.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati questioned why the late MP was shot about 5 times and no one from his security shot even once.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot urged Kenyans to embrace a spirit of love.