Nairobi – A Nairobi court has released three suspects previously held in connection with the killing of Kasipul Member of Parliament Ong’ondo Were, after prosecutors admitted they lacked sufficient evidence to press charges.
Appearing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Law Courts, Juma Haikal, Douglas Wambugu and David Kagame were set free on Wednesday by Magistrate Irene Gichobi.
The prosecution said it could not directly tie the men to the fatal attack, prompting the magistrate to order their immediate release.
Their freedom brings the number of suspects cleared so far in the high-profile case to five.
Two other men Dennis Sewe Manyasi and Walter Owino Awino were earlier discharged by a Makadara court. Both are now expected to testify for the state as prosecution witnesses.
Investigation Still Underway
The murder of MP Ong’ondo Were sent shockwaves through Kenya’s political circles. He was found dead under unclear circumstances, and police quickly rounded up multiple suspects in a series of arrests that followed.
Despite the early momentum, the case appears to be faltering. Authorities have yet to pin down those responsible, with the investigation now focused on five remaining suspects still in custody.
The court heard that these five will undergo mental health assessments before formal charges are brought.
In a related development, businessman Philip Aroko, who had been re-arrested in connection with the case, was granted bail last month. He was released on a cash bond of Sh300,000.
Growing Pressure for Answers
The apparent lack of progress in the investigation has frustrated some in Parliament, with allies of the late MP demanding faster results and greater transparency from law enforcement.
“We need answers, not guesswork,” said a fellow legislator from the Nyanza region, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This was not just an attack on a man, but on our democracy.”
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has not issued a new statement since the latest court developments.
For now, the public is left watching a high-stakes case that seems no closer to resolution than when it began.
