Breakthrough in MP Ong’ondo Murder Case: Detectives Recover Murder Pistol, Key Evidence in Kayole Raid

Detectives have recovered two pistols, including one believed to have been used in the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were.

The murder pistol will undergo ballistic analysis to determine its ownership and usage.

The weapons were found in a house in the Chokaa area of Kayole on Tuesday night after a daylong search, police said.

Detectives also recovered a bag and shoes worn by a prime suspect on the day of the murder.

Police termed the recoveries a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation.

“This is a breakthrough because the recoveries are key in the case,” said an officer involved in the probe.

Earlier ballistic tests on recovered bullets revealed that the murder weapon had been used in at least three other crimes in Komarock and Kayole in Nairobi, and Ndumberi, Kiambu County.

This conclusion followed an analysis of spent bullets recovered from the crime scene and the MP’s body.

Were, who was serving his second term in Parliament, was shot and killed on April 30 along Valley Road near the City Mortuary.

His driver and bodyguard, who was seated in the back seat, escaped unhurt.

The bodyguard jumped out of the car as the gunman fled on a getaway motorcycle. Witnesses said he gave a brief chase before returning to the car and rushing the bleeding MP to nearby Nairobi Hospital.

Detectives have since been retracing the MP’s movements and reconstructing scenes with the help of the bodyguard and driver.

Four suspects are in custody over the killing.

One of the suspects was found with Sh615,000 in his Nairobi home, believed to have been payment for the mission. Detectives are working to establish the source of the money and the motive.

Police also recovered several police uniforms and multiple mobile phones, which are under forensic examination.

The suspects William Imoli Shighali alias Omar Shakur, Juma Ali Haikal, Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame will remain in custody for 30 calendar days pending investigations.

The Four suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were when they were arraigned at JKIA Law Courts.

Shighali, was arrested in the lounge in Roysambu alongside Wambugu and Kagame.

Police say suspects later led detectives to the Pangani home of police officer Juma Ali Hikal, where a vehicle alleged to have been used in the murder was found.

Court documents show the suspects communicated before and after the assassination.

CCTV footage described by investigators as pivotal showed the suspect, believed to be Shighali, trailing MP Were along Wabera Street in Nairobi.

He was allegedly seen carrying a bag believed to have concealed the murder weapon and wearing police boots later found at Hikal’s residence.

A search at Hikal’s home, according to police, uncovered ammunition, teargas canisters, and other paraphernalia currently under analysis.

At Shighali’s residence, officers allegedly found police uniforms, over USD 4,800 in cash, and multiple mobile phones also being examined.

“Thousands of minutes of CCTV footage have been reviewed to reconstruct the final moments of the late MP,” the prosecution told the court.

“Nine live rounds of ammunition and teargas canisters were also found at the second respondent’s home.”

Detectives recover pistol believed was used in the murder of slain MP Charles Ong’ondo Were. Also recovered is a bag and shoes worn by a prime suspect on the day of the murder.

Investigators believe the murder may have been carried out by an organized criminal network with significant financial backing.

Police are pursuing more suspects, including another officer suspected of playing a central role in orchestrating the assassination.

The officer is alleged to have used a newly registered mobile number, now deactivated and registered under a false identity, to coordinate the operation.

A JKIA Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) permission to detain the four suspects for 30 days pending further investigations.