A murder trial linked to the killing of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were was thrown into chaos on Wednesday after one of the suspects allegedly threatened to kill the prosecutor handling the case.
Ebel Ochieng Kalo, a well-known official of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and a board member of the Lake Basin Development Authority, made the threat while appearing before Justice Diana Kavedza at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
Court proceedings came to a halt when the prosecution informed the judge that Kalo had threatened State Counsel Allan Mulama, forcing the prosecutor to abruptly leave the courtroom.
“One of the accused persons, Ebel Ochieng, has threatened to kill the ODPP officer, Allan Mulama, forcing the state counsel to excuse himself from court,” a representative from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) told the court.
The moment sent shockwaves through the courtroom.
Justice Kavedza did not take the matter lightly. “I take note that the accused person has threatened to kill the prosecutor,” she said. “The mere utterance of the words ‘huyu tutamuua’—what then of the witnesses?”
The judge denied bail for all three accused in the case, citing safety concerns and the gravity of the charges. She ordered that Kalo be taken to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. The other two suspects will remain at Nairobi Remand Prison, with one held in isolation pending a similar assessment.
“This is deeply troubling. We intend to pursue this matter conclusively with the police. The court’s intervention is urgently needed,” the prosecution said after the session.
The hearing will resume on 17 June, when the court is expected to give further directions.
More Suspects, More Questions
In a related session, Justice Margaret Muigai ordered two other suspects—Isaack Kuria and Allan Omondi Ogolla—to also undergo mental assessments before entering a plea. The two appeared via video link.
They will be held at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison and are to be given legal representation. Sources close to the investigation say detectives are still considering additional charges and possible plea deals.
All five men are linked to the fatal shooting of MP Charles Were on 30 April 2025. Were was attacked in broad daylight as his car waited at a red light near the City Mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road.
Witnesses said a man jumped off a motorcycle and fired several rounds into the vehicle before escaping with the rider.
Among those arrested in the early stages of the investigation were the MP’s own bodyguard and driver. Police believe they may have played a role in what investigators describe as a “well-organised hit.”
So far, no clear motive has been established, but detectives are exploring political and personal links, as pressure mounts on authorities to secure justice in what many are calling one of the boldest assassinations in recent memory.
