KENYA: Three Suspects Plead Not Guilty To Murder Of Charles, A Parliament Member 

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya

Three men accused of murdering Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were have denied the charges before the High Court and will remain in custody for a month as the court awaits further updates.

The suspects; William Imoli Shigali, Edwin Oduor Odhiambo also known as Machuani, and Ebel Ochieng alias Dave Calo appeared before Justice Diana Kavedza on Tuesday.

They are facing murder charges related to an incident that occurred on April 30, 2025, near the City Mortuary Roundabout along Ngong Road, Nairobi.

A medical evaluation report presented in court showed all the accused were mentally capable of entering a plea. However, the court heard that the third suspect, Ebel Ochieng, made threatening remarks during a break in proceedings, allegedly targeting the state prosecutor with a death threat. This incident influenced the judge’s decision to deny bail.

As a result, Ochieng was ordered to be held in solitary confinement at Nairobi Remand Prison and undergo further psychological assessment, while the other two will remain in custody pending additional directions.

During the session, Shigali claimed he had been taken to Mbagathi Hospital but received no care, while Odhiambo expressed willingness to clarify the origin of certain weapons linked to the case and suggested that his phone be examined for evidence.

The prosecution objected to bail, citing concerns for public and witness safety. They also described the suspects as potential flight risks, noting that Ochieng had allegedly changed phones and fled to Nakuru, where he was eventually caught in a guesthouse.

Odhiambo was reportedly found with firearms tied to ongoing investigations in Kiambu and Kayole, including 16 believed to have been used in the MP’s killing.

Supporting their stance, the prosecution referenced several ongoing criminal cases and police reports related to the suspects, reinforcing the claim that their release posed a risk.

The defence rejected the prosecution’s claims of attempted escape, arguing the suspects were arrested in public areas or at their residences and had shown no signs of evading the law.

They urged the court to consider their clients’ right to be presumed innocent and highlighted their ties to the community, including family responsibilities and permanent addresses in Nairobi and Nakuru.

One of the accused, they said, is a university student and a government board member.

They also requested that one of the suspects be allowed to attend his mother’s burial, a matter the judge said would be reviewed once a probation officer files a report.

Justice Kavedza scheduled the next mention of the case for July 17, 2025, when the court will receive updates on security concerns related to witnesses and the public before making further decisions.