The family of late Kasipul Kabondo Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were has written to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), calling for a full investigation into individuals allegedly linked to his killing.

Through Apollo & Company Advocates, the family said some of the suspects may be shielded from prosecution under the guise of being State witnesses, despite their alleged involvement in planning the murder.

In a letter dated Thursday, June 26, addressed to Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, the family named Ebel Ochieng, also known as Dave Calo, Allan Omondi Ogola and Philip Nahashon Aroko.

They referred to two key meetings they believe were central to the planning of the MP’s killing. One took place at Acacia Premier Hotel in Kisumu, and another was a closed-door session involving the three men.

“The family is concerned that despite providing crucial information, the authorities appear to be excluding or protecting some individuals,” said Apollo Mboya, the family’s lead lawyer.

He added that Were was warned during one of the meetings about an earlier gathering where his assassination was discussed.

“We urge your office to exercise its constitutional powers and direct police to act on the information already provided,” noted Mboya.

This comes after businessman and political figure Philip Aroko was released from custody and enlisted as a State witness.

Aroko, initially treated as a suspect, was freed after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations reviewed the evidence and opted not to charge him.

His release was confirmed during a court mention at Kibera Law Courts. He had earlier been arrested and granted bail at the JKIA Magistrate’s Court, but the ODPP successfully appealed the decision, leading to his detention at Kileleshwa Police Station.

The High Court ruled in favour of continued custody, citing the sensitivity of the probe and potential risk of interference.

The move to list Aroko as a witness followed the release of two other individuals, Dennis Sewe Manyasi and Walter Awino Owino, the MP’s driver, who were also identified as prosecution witnesses.

Police believe the murder was politically motivated and involved meetings across multiple locations, including Nairobi and Kisumu.

He was aged 51, died on the night of Wednesday, April 30, after unknown gunmen shot him along Ngong Road in Nairobi. He had left Parliament shortly after 6 p.m. and was driving towards Mbagathi when he was attacked near the City Mortuary roundabout.

 Police said two men on a motorbike pulled up beside his car, shattered the driver’s window and fired several rounds at close range.

Good Samaritans rushed him to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

At least 12 people were arrested in connection with the killing. Five were later released unconditionally.