CS Murkomen defends swift action in probing late MP Charles Were's murder

In a span of 14 days, the DCI has arrested 12 individuals, including the late MP's bodyguard and driver, the suspected getaway rider and hitman, raising questions about the level of swiftness not typically observed in other cases.

Speaking on the JKLive show, Murkomen stated that the work of police officers often goes unnoticed, as they regularly apprehend suspects and close cases that rarely receive media attention. 

For Were's case, CS Murkomen explained that the police utilised phone call record triangulation and also identified the suspects by analysing CCTV footage from Nairobi CBD. 

"I think the case of Ong’ondo Were was very unfortunate, he is not the only one that has been investigated and persons charged expeditiously," Murkomen stated.

"The issue of Ong’ondo Were was almost straightforward; the CCTV cameras quickly showed who was with him in Parliament, and it was easy to arrest all these people."

He added, "Because Ong’ondo Were is an MP and was given prominence in reporting, there are many other cases that police investigate and charge people all over the country."

Charles Were was shot dead on April 30 in the Nairobi evening traffic at the City mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road by a gunman whose accomplice was riding a motorbike. 

The gunman alighted from the motorbike at a red light and opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene with the getaway rider.

Through forensic analysis, DCI arrested the rider, Amos Barasa Kasili, in Nairobi's Kibera area, profiling him as “a habitual criminal who masquerades as a boda boda operator." He was also allegedly found in possession of the motorcycle in question.

Further, Were's bodyguard Allan Omondi and driver Walter Owino are suspected to be part of the criminal syndicate behind the late MP's murder plot. 

Others include businessman and politician Phillip Aroko and Lake Basin Development Authority Director Ebel Ochieng, both alleged to be financiers of the operation.