Key suspect in Kasipul MP Were’s assassination arrested near Kenya-Tanzania border
Among those already in custody are Were’s personal bodyguard, Allan Omondi, his driver, Walter Owino, and William Imoli, a man detectives believe played a central role in organising and funding the assassination.
Detectives have arrested a key suspect in the killing of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was gunned down in broad daylight on Nairobi’s Valley Road.
The suspect, identified as Isaac Kuria, alias "Kush", was captured in Isebania, a border town near Tanzania, just as he was reportedly trying to flee the country.
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“This man was on the run, and his arrest marks a major breakthrough in our investigation,” a senior officer close to the case told reporters on condition of anonymity. “We believe he was the triggerman.”
According to investigators, Kuria is believed to have executed a well-planned hit on the late MP, trailing him through Nairobi’s central business district before ambushing him in traffic and fatally shooting him.
Following the murder, Kuria is said to have made a swift getaway, first escaping to Mihang’o, where he allegedly disposed of the murder weapon, a pistol which was later recovered by authorities.
He then continued his flight through Narok on a motorbike before boarding public transport to Isebania. It is believed he had been in communication with a relative in Tanzania, coordinating a potential cross-border escape.
The late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were. (Photo: Courtesy)
Conversations intercepted
Detectives managed to intercept the fugitive after tracing his conversations with other suspects already in custody.
“We were monitoring his communications and knew he was trying to leave the country,” said a source familiar with the surveillance.
Kuria was arrested at a lodging in Isebania along with another individual, who is also now in custody.
The two suspects have since been transferred to Nairobi and are scheduled to appear at JKIA Law Courts on Monday.
With Kuria’s arrest, the number of people detained in connection with the assassination now stands at 11.
Four suspects linked to the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were cover their faces during their appearance at JKIA Court on May 5, 2025. (Photo: Courtesy)
Among those already in custody are Were’s personal bodyguard, Allan Omondi, his driver, Walter Owino, and William Imoli, a man detectives believe played a central role in organising and funding the assassination.
Also under investigation are prominent individuals, including businessman-cum-politician Phillip Aroko and Lake Basin Development Authority Director Ebel Ochieng, both of whom are alleged to have contributed financially to the plot. Others in custody include Edwin Oduor and Dennis Manyasi.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has confirmed that they are analysing bank transactions and communications between suspects to uncover the full motive behind the killing.
The MP was buried on Friday at his rural home in Kachien village, in his Kasipul Constituency.
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