How Police Tracked Ong’ondo Were Killer to the Tanzania Border

It took 12 intense days, sharp detective work, and surveillance across counties for police to nab the man suspected of killing Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

From Embakasi to Isibania, detectives followed digital footprints, intercepted calls, and pieced together the killer’s escape route.

Just as the suspect was preparing to vanish across the Tanzania border, law enforcement cornered him.

The dramatic capture, full of twists and turns, now raises bigger questions—who planned this killing, and why? Here’s how the chase unfolded and what lies ahead for the murder case.

The killer underestimated the reach and coordination of Kenya’s elite crime units. Detectives kept pace, following his trail to Isibania—a quiet border town in Migori County known for its cross-border traffic. [Photo/Courtesy]

DCI Detectives Map Ong’ondo Were Killer’s Escape Route from Nairobi to the Border

The search for MP Ong’ondo Were’s killer launched the moment bullets silenced him on April 30. Investigators quickly got to work, using witness accounts, phone records, and forensic evidence to begin the hunt.

Their first major breakthrough came from Mihang’o in Embakasi, where the killer reportedly fled right after the shooting. In the same area, police found a Sarsilmaz pistol. Forensic tests confirmed it was the murder weapon.

From Mihang’o, the fugitive didn’t stick around. He boarded a boda boda, disappearing into Narok County. There, he blended in with the locals, buying time and figuring out his next move.

But the killer underestimated the reach and coordination of Kenya’s elite crime units. Detectives kept pace, following his trail to Isibania—a quiet border town in Migori County known for its cross-border traffic.

Intelligence gathered from ongoing surveillance and tapped communications gave detectives a clear picture. The suspect had reached out to relatives and other suspects who were already in custody.

These intercepted calls revealed both his location and his plans—to flee into Tanzania. Before he could slip across the border, police made their move.

Ong’ondo Were Killer Nabbed While Plotting Border Escape

The suspect wasn’t alone. Authorities arrested him alongside another man believed to be offering him a hideout and resources for the escape. The arrest brought the total number of suspects in the case to 11.

Security sources confirmed the man arrested in Isibania is believed to be the actual triggerman—the one who pulled the gun on Ong’ondo Were. His arrest was a key win for investigators, who had faced pressure from the public and political class to bring the killers to justice.

The suspect is expected to appear at the JKIA Law Courts on Monday, May 12. He will be formally charged alongside the other suspects, who have already been ordered to remain in custody for at least 30 days while the investigation continues.

His arrest marks a turning point in the case, but detectives are not done yet. Police are now working to unravel the broader network behind the killing—those who financed, planned, and executed the assassination.

The burial of Charles Ong’ondo Were took place on Friday, May 9, in Oyugis. It was a solemn and emotional affair. Family members stood firm, demanding justice and warning against any attempts to shield the killers. [Photo: Courtesy]

Fresh Leads and Businessman’s Surrender Add Twist to Ong’ondo Were Murder Case

In a twist that surprised many, businessman Philip Nahashon Aroko turned himself in at Gigiri Police Station on Wednesday night. He had been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) as part of ongoing inquiries.

While investigators haven’t publicly detailed his involvement, Aroko’s surrender points to widening circles in the murder plot. Detectives are probing whether business or political motives were involved in the MP’s assassination.

Meanwhile, the burial of Charles Ong’ondo Were took place on Friday, May 9, in Oyugis. It was a solemn and emotional affair. Family members stood firm, demanding justice and warning against any attempts to shield the killers.

“Our father must not have died in vain,” one family member declared during the funeral. “We demand that those behind this be brought to book without compromise or delay.”

Public anger remains high, and the case has taken national importance, especially given Were’s status and popularity in his constituency.

As the investigation moves to the next phase—examining financial transactions, planning meetings, and phone communications—the key question remains: Was the shooter just a pawn in a larger, more dangerous game?