The JKIA Law Courts have ordered the detention of two primary suspects, including Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) Director Ebel Ochieng, for 23 days as investigations into the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were continue.
Ebel Ochieng and co-accused Edwin Oduor—allegedly linked to the murder weapon—had earlier filed a preliminary application requesting the recusal of Chief Magistrate Irene Gichobi, citing alleged bias in her conduct.
The two were arraigned last Thursday alongside three others following their arrest in separate locations the day before. However, the State was unable to proceed with its application for custodial orders at that time due to the preliminary motion filed by the suspects.
Previously, Ochieng and Oduor had also contested the jurisdiction of the JKIA Law Courts, pushing for the case to be transferred to the Kibera Law Courts or another competent court. Magistrate Gichobi dismissed both the jurisdictional objection and the recusal request, allowing the State to formally pursue custodial detention.
“The request by the first and second respondents for my recusal is unsubstantiated and is hereby denied,” ruled the Magistrate.
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Prosecutors had initially requested a 30-day detention period, asserting that the two suspects were central figures in orchestrating and executing the assassination of MP Were. Ochieng is suspected of organizing planning meetings, while Oduor is believed to have direct ties to the murder weapon.
The court ultimately approved a 23-day custodial order to allow investigators sufficient time to complete their inquiries.
In a parallel legal development, Ochieng has filed a separate case at the High Court, which is scheduled for mention this Wednesday at the Makadara Law Courts.
He is appealing the May 9 decision that rejected his jurisdictional objection and is seeking a directive to move the case from JKIA Law Courts to the Kibera Law Courts or another venue with suitable jurisdiction.
