Three individuals charged with the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were have pleaded not guilty.

The suspects William Imoli Imo Shigali, Edwin Oduor Odhiambo, and Ebel Ochieng, also known as Dave Calo, denied the charge when they appeared before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera High Court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

According to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the trio, together with others not before the court, are accused of killing the legislator near the City Mortuary along Ngong Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on the evening of April 30, 2025, around 7:40 p.m.

The suspects face a murder charge under Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.

During the plea session, the second accused, William Shigali, addressed the court, insisting on his innocence.

He stated that he had no involvement in the crime and was ready to cooperate fully with the court to reveal the truth.

Shigali requested that data from his phone be retrieved to verify his claim that he was not connected to the murder.

“I want to tell this court that I was not involved in the MP’s death. When I was arrested, I was in possession of my phone. I ask the court to allow an extraction of my phone’s data from that day to confirm my innocence,” he said.

Lawyers representing the three suspects in the murder case have asked the court to grant their clients bail, arguing that they are not a flight risk since they reside at known permanent addresses.

Lead counsel John Swaka told the court there were no compelling reasons to deny them bail.

However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) strongly opposed the request, stating that the third accused, Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo, had previously issued death threats against a state counsel a move they argued posed a security risk if he were released.

The DPP further told the court that the same suspect changed his phone number and fled to Nakuru following the murder, where he was later arrested at a guest house.

The prosecution urged the court to prioritize the safety of witnesses and state officers by keeping the suspects in custody until the case is concluded.

The matter is scheduled for mention on July 17, 2025, to confirm the probation report and give further directions.