LBDA director Ebel Ochieng, two others charged with Kasipul MP Were’s murder
Prosecutor Evelynn Onuga told the court that the three acted jointly in orchestrating the murder, with the murder weapon later recovered from the home of the second accused.
Lake Basin Development Authority director Ebel Ochieng, alias Dave, and two other suspects linked to the killing of Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were have been charged with murder.
Ochieng was charged alongside William Imoli Shigali, alias Imo, and Edwin Oduor Odhiambo, alias Machuani, after the prosecution informed the court that all three were fit to stand trial.
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According to a report presented before the court, the trio were evaluated and cleared by medical professionals, allowing the criminal proceedings to commence.
The case has attracted significant public interest due to the high-profile nature of the victim. Tight security was observed during the court session.
The three appeared before Kibera High Court judge Diana Kavedza and denied the charges.
The prosecution urged the court not to release the accused on bail, citing serious security concerns, flight risk, and the gravity of the offence.
Prosecutor Evelynn Onuga told the court that the three acted jointly in orchestrating the murder, with the murder weapon later recovered from the home of the second accused.
She added that communication devices linked to the planning of the crime had been seized and were being treated as key exhibits.
“The manner in which the deceased was murdered sends chills down the spine,” Onuga said.
The court also heard that the safety of prosecution witnesses is at risk, with several placed under the Witness Protection Agency due to reported threats.
Prosecutor Onuga highlighted the danger posed by the accused, referring to an incident on June 4, when the third accused allegedly issued a direct threat to the prosecuting counsel in open court.
“If the third accused can openly threaten a prosecutor, what about the witnesses?” Onuga asked, urging the court to consider the security of both witnesses and prosecutors.
The prosecution further argued that all three accused are flight risks. The third accused reportedly switched off his mobile phones and fled to Nakuru immediately after the murder, where he was later arrested at a guest house hideout.
As for the second accused, Onuga informed the court that a firearm recovered from his house had been linked not only to the MP’s murder but also to other criminal activities in Kiambu and Kayole.
The court heard that investigators are following leads suggesting the weapon was used in multiple incidents, including those recorded under OB 79/17/02/2025 at Kayole Police Station and DCI Kayole file number 135/13/2025.
Given the seriousness of the charges, punishable by death upon conviction, the prosecution argued that the accused had a strong incentive to abscond if granted bail.
The court is expected to rule on the bail application following the submission of a pre-bail report.
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