The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has formally commenced the prosecution of five suspects charged with the murder of Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were.
The DPP said his office will present a detailed account of betrayal, greed and conspiracy that led to the legislator’s killing.
In an opening statement before Kibera High Court Judge Lady Justice Diana Kavedza, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gikui Gichuhi said the State was ready to lay bare evidence showing that the murder was a carefully planned operation executed by individuals close to the deceased.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions is ready to lay a bare narrative of treachery, greed and conspiracy that led to the cold murder of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were,” Gichuhi told the court.
The prosecution said the killing was orchestrated by a friend-turned-foe and involved a bodyguard who had been entrusted with the sole responsibility of protecting the MP.
Instead, the court heard, the bodyguard allegedly succumbed to “cold, calculated greed” and colluded with others who wanted the legislator dead.
According to the DPP, investigators have assembled testimonial, documentary and forensic evidence linking the accused persons to the crime.
“The prosecution will present credible and cogent evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the five accused persons before you jointly planned and orchestrated this heinous act,” Gichuhi said.
Prosecutors said the roles of each accused person have been clearly categorised to assist the court in navigating what they described as complex evidence.
“The third accused person is the man who pulled the strings. The evidence will show that he wanted the deceased eliminated to bury his secrets and, rather than pulling the trigger himself, provided orders and funding to satisfy his evil desire,” Gichuhi stated.
The court heard that the first accused person allegedly acted as the mastermind who meticulously planned the events of the day the MP was killed, while the second accused person is accused of making the murder weapon available and taking steps to conceal the crime.
Prosecutors further alleged that the fourth accused person pulled the trigger in exchange for financial gain, while the fifth accused person abused a position of trust to deliver the MP into the hands of his killers.
In a poignant address to the court, the prosecution underscored the impact of the killing on the MP’s family and constituents.
“My Lady, before this court today, we speak for a life that was brutally and unlawfully taken away. The deceased was not just a victim; he was an honourable Member of Parliament, a leader entrusted with the voice and hopes of his people,” Gichuhi said.
The DPP has charged William Imoli alias Imo, Edwin Odour Odhiambo alias Machuani, Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo, Isaac Kuria and Allan Ogola with the offence of murder. They are accused of killing Ong’ondo Were on the night of April 30, 2025, at around 7.40 p.m.
The prosecution team is led by Vincent Monda, Gikui Gichuhi, Peris Maina and Christine Timoi.
