Were murder case: Philip Aroko detained for seven days

Philip Aroko when he appeared before the JKIA court in relation to Kasipul MP Ongóndo Were's murder case, May 9, 2025. /EZEKIEL AMING'A

A court in Nairobi has allowed police to detain for seven days a politician who was arrested in connection with the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

JKIA principal magistrate Irene Gicobi granted the seven days even though the state had asked for 30 days.

The court directed that Philip Aroko be detained at Kileleshwa police station as detectives complete their investigations.

Aroko was arrested on Wednesday night after he presented himself to authorities at the Gigiri police station following a DCI directive that he was wanted for interrogation over the MP’s murder.

THe DCI said he as a person of interest in the ongoing investigations into the April 30 fatal shooting of Were.

Aroko's arraignment late Friday afternoon followed a High Court order for police to produce him in court.

Justice Alexander Muteti issued the orders and directed the police to explain why he was neither arraigned nor released on bond on Friday.

The orders followed an application by Aroko’s lawyers led by Danstan Omari and Samson Nyaberi.

The advocates had argued that Aroko was being held in violation of his rights and should be produced in court within 24 hours or be released.

Five suspects have so far been arrested in connection to Were's murder.

Police said they also recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon.

Several bullets were also recovered from a suspect's house.