Investigators probing the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Ong’ondo Were have made a significant breakthrough after recovering the weapon used in the killing.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja revealed that a ballistic examination had conclusively linked a pistol seized from a suspect to the fatal shooting of MP Were, which occurred on April 30.
According to IG Kanja, the firearm—a Sarsilmaz pistol—was recovered from a residence connected to one of the two suspects. Alongside the pistol, detectives also found a Retay Falcon pistol, a bag, and footwear matching items worn by one of the individuals seen at the crime scene.
"The ballistic report we obtained has confirmed that the Sarsilmaz pistol was the weapon used in the assassination of the MP," Kanja stated.
Investigations further revealed that the same pistol had been used in three separate robbery incidents reported in Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
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An autopsy conducted on May 2 by Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor at Lee Funeral Home established that MP Were sustained five gunshot wounds, all penetrating his body from the left side. Two bullets were retrieved from his body and a third from his vehicle. All were submitted for forensic analysis, which helped confirm the identity of the murder weapon.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported the arrest of Edwin Oduor Odhiambo, also known as Abdul Rashid, and Dennis Sewe Munyasi. The two suspects were apprehended at an undisclosed location and later led investigators to Odhiambo’s home, where the weapons were discovered.
In a parallel development, four other suspects—believed to be members of the notorious "Mjahidini" gang operating in Nairobi’s Eastlands—were arrested on May 4. They have since appeared in court, where a 30-day custodial order was granted to allow for continued investigations. The case is set for mention on June 5.
Two more suspects were arrested on Wednesday, raising the total number of individuals in custody to ten.
Meanwhile, Homa Bay politician and businessman Philip Nahashon Aroko, who the DCI recently summoned, denied any involvement in the killing. His lawyer, Danstan Omari, confirmed that Aroko presented himself at Gigiri Police Station, where he was booked and detained overnight for questioning.
Detectives are actively reconstructing MP Were’s final movements from Parliament to the location of the fatal shooting. As part of the investigation, both his driver and personal aide have also been taken into custody to assist with the inquiry.
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