More clues emerge as police recover weapons in MP Were’s murder

Police probing the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were have recovered two pistols, including one believed to be the murder weapon, during a dramatic Tuesday night raid in Kayole’s Chokaa area.

The weapons were seized after an intense daylong operation that marked a significant step forward in the investigation.

Officers also found a bag and shoes reportedly worn by the main suspect on the day the MP was gunned down.

Investigators say the firearms, especially the one already linked to the crime through ballistic tests, are now central to the case.

Forensic experts are examining the second pistol to determine its ownership and whether it has been used in previous criminal activities.

Police consider the items retrieved from the Kayole residence—bag, shoes, and the two pistols—as critical evidence that could help build a strong case against the suspects already in custody and others still being sought.

Autopsy results confirmed that MP Were was shot five times, with the bullets piercing vital organs, including the heart.

The fatal shooting occurred on April 30 along Valley Road near City Mortuary while the MP was seated inside a vehicle.

His driver and bodyguard were present during the attack.

The bodyguard, seated at the back, was uninjured and reportedly jumped out of the vehicle during the chaos.

As the assailant escaped on a motorcycle, the bodyguard briefly gave chase before returning to help rush the MP to Nairobi Hospital.

Police have since arrested and detained both the driver and the bodyguard.

Investigators say the two gave conflicting accounts of what happened before and after the shooting.

They are now being treated as persons of interest in the case.

Ballistic experts had earlier matched the bullets from the scene and the MP’s body to a pistol used in at least three other attacks—in Komarocks and Kayole within Nairobi, and in Ndumberi, Kiambu County.

The recovery of the weapon in Kayole has provided detectives with a vital lead.

Four additional suspects are in custody.

Among them is a man found with Sh615,000 at his home in Nairobi, a sum police suspect could be payment for the killing.

The origin of the money is under investigation as detectives work to establish a possible financial trail behind the murder.

A wider sweep by detectives has uncovered more items believed to be linked to the plot.

These include police uniforms, several mobile phones, and U.S. dollars recovered from the homes of suspects.

Forensic teams are analysing the items to extract further clues.

Three of the suspects—William Imoli Shighali alias Omar Shakur, Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame—were arrested at Zeitun Lounge in Roysambu.

After their arrest, the trio led police to the Pangani home of a police officer, Juma Ali Hikal.

At Hikal’s residence, officers found a vehicle believed to have been used during the assassination. Additional searches uncovered ammunition, teargas canisters, and other police-related items.

In Shighali’s house, police recovered police uniforms, over 4,800 U.S. dollars (Sh620,226) in cash, and multiple mobile phones.

Detectives are combing through the devices for communication records that could shed light on the planning and coordination of the killing.

CCTV footage analysed by investigators showed Shighali trailing the MP along Wabera Street in Nairobi on the day of the murder.

He was carrying a bag believed to have contained the weapon and was wearing police boots later recovered at Hikal’s home.

Prosecutors presented the developments in court, telling the magistrate that thousands of minutes of surveillance footage had been reviewed to trace the MP’s final movements and interactions with the suspects.

"Nine live rounds of ammunition and teargas canisters were also found at the second respondent’s home," the prosecution said.

Detectives believe the murder may have been orchestrated by a well-funded criminal network.

Investigations point to an elaborate plot involving multiple actors, including a motorcycle rider who helped the gunman escape and other individuals suspected of communicating with the attackers before and after the hit.

A police officer suspected of playing a key role in organising the murder is also under investigation.

Authorities believe he used a newly registered mobile number, since deactivated and linked to a false identity, to give instructions to the hitmen.

A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has granted police permission to hold the four main suspects for 30 days as the investigation continues.