Aroko, Wanted Businessman in The Murder of MP Ong’odo Surrenders to Police, Says He Has Nothing To Hide

Philip Aroko, identified by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) as a person of interest in the murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, has surrendered to authorities for questioning.

In a public notice, the DCI had requested Aroko to turn himself in to assist with investigations into the April 30 fatal shooting of the legislator.

Speaking before his surrender, Aroko maintained his innocence, stating he had nothing to hide. “My phone has been on, I’m ready for anything. I don’t fear being summoned by the DCI, it’s normal,” he said, accompanied by his lawyer Danstan Omari.

“I want to hear what they have against me. I will also respond to anything that is relevant. I’m ready to clear myself,” he added.

Omari questioned the necessity of the public notice, claiming his client had been accessible throughout. “My client Philip’s phone has been on, he has been doing his business. There’s no way the DCI can say they are looking for Philip. He’s available, and I’ll be taking him to the DCI Gigiri office within 20 minutes,” the lawyer stated.

Omari characterized the DCI’s actions as “diversionary tactics” as investigations into Were’s murder progress.

Upon arrival at the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road, Aroko described his situation as “very unfortunate” but declined to comment further. “I don’t want to talk about it because it’s under investigation. I want to leave the police to do their job. They summoned me to come, I am here. If anybody has anything they want to ask me, I will be ready to answer,” he said.

Police have already arrested four suspects and recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon, along with several bullets found at a suspect’s residence.

MP Were was shot dead near Nairobi Funeral Home (City Mortuary) while his driver waited at a red light. A gunman dismounted from a motorcycle, shot the MP multiple times, then fled on the same motorcycle toward Nairobi’s central business district.

Prior to his death, Were had expressed concerns for his safety and had changed vehicles to conceal his movements. Investigators believe the assailant followed him from Parliament after he left the premises, describing the murder as premeditated.

The MP’s driver and bodyguard are among those assisting police with investigations.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​