The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has requested slain Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were’s competitor in the 2027 general elections to surrender.

DCI, in a statement shared via their official social media accounts on the evening of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, said Philip Nahashon Aroko is wanted for murder.

According to DCI, Aroko is a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the brutal murder of Ong’ondo Were. Aroko is one of the contestants for Kasipul parliamentary seat in 2027.

The anti-crime agency has also appealed to anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station.

”WANTED FOR MURDER The Directorate of Criminal Investigations requests Philip Nahashon Aroko to surrender immediately to the nearest police station. He is a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the brutal murder of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were. Compliance with this request is mandatory. We also appeal to anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or use our toll-free numbers: 999, 112, or #FichuaKwaDCI (0800 722 203). All information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” DCI stated.

So far, nine suspects have been arrested in connection to the murder of Ong’ondo Were.

Investigations have also linked Charles Ong’ondo Were’s close associates to his murder.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, said some of Charles Ong’ondo Were’s close associates collaborated with his killers.

According to Murkomen, the people who collaborated to have the lawmaker killed ought to have taken good care of him.

“We have made very significant progress in arresting the perpetrators and their collaborators, and it will shock you to note that this was a heinous crime done in a cavalier manner, involving people who ordinarily should have taken good care of him in his interest,” Murkomen told journalists in Meru.

“The suspects will be brought to book and serve as an example. Their punishment will be an example to anyone who thinks they can run away from the law.”

Earlier in the day, police said they had arrested two more suspects in the murder probe and recovered two guns, one of which is believed to have been used to commit the crime.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Edwin Oduor Odhiambo, alias Abdul Rashid, and Dennis Sewe Munyasi led the investigators to Odhiambo’s house upon their arrest, where detectives found the firearms.

“A bag and footwear matching the description of those worn by one of the suspects at the scene of the incident were also recovered. All items have been submitted for forensic examination,” the investigative agency said.

Four suspects were on Monday arraigned over the MP’s murder. The prosecution said they were pursuing additional suspects, among them a police officer believed to have been key in the killing.

Investigators believe Were’s killing may have been orchestrated by an organised criminal network with access to significant financial resources.

Ong’ondo Were was shot dead on Wednesday, April 30, in Nairobi evening traffic by a gunman whose accomplice was riding a motorbike.