Philip Aroko, a businessman and political figure from Homa Bay County, has been released on a cash bail of KSh300,000. He is a key suspect in the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were.
Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts granted the bail on Friday. The court imposed several conditions: Aroko must surrender his passport, is barred from traveling to Homa Bay County, and is prohibited from contacting the victim’s family or any individuals linked to the case. He is also required to report regularly to investigators and must not interfere with ongoing investigations.
The prosecution had requested Aroko’s continued detention, citing the case’s high public interest and the need for further investigation. However, the magistrate ruled that the conditions set would suffice to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
Aroko, who had surrendered to authorities on May 9, is among several suspects under investigation for the April 30 shooting of MP Were in Nairobi. The case is set for mention on June 3.
