The investigation into the murder of Kaspul Member of Parliament Ong’ondo Were has taken a dramatic turn after his personal driver and bodyguard were arrested and detained for questioning.

Police arrested the two late Tuesday night in a house located in the Mihang’o area of Kayole, describing them as persons of interest in the fatal shooting of the second-term legislator.

According to detectives, the pair gave conflicting statements about their knowledge and actions during the shooting, prompting their continued detention.

Police have also arrested two other suspects, Edwin Oduor Odhiambo alias Abdul Rashid and Dennis Sewe Munyasi in connection to Were’s murder.

They recovered two pistols, a Retay Falcon and a Sarsilmaz, and nine rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition from them. 

Alongside the weapons, officers recovered a bag and shoes believed to have been worn by the prime suspect on the day of the killing.

Detectives said the items have been submitted for forensic examination.

MP Were was shot five times on April 30 while stuck in traffic along Valley Road near the City Mortuary. A  post-mortem revealed that bullets punctured vital organs, including his heart, killing him instantly.

During the attack, the gunman is said to have approached on foot, opened fire, and then fled the scene via a motorcycle.

His bodyguard and driver escaped the brazen attack unharmed.

The bodyguard reportedly jumped out and briefly gave chase before returning to the car and driving the injured MP to Nairobi Hospital with the driver’s help. He was pronounced dead upon arrival.

So far, eight individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the killing, including a police officer, the MP’s bodyguard and driver, and four other suspects.

One of the initial suspects was found with Sh615,000 in cash at his home in Nairobi—money investigators believe may have been a payment for the murder.

Multiple police uniforms and several mobile phones were also recovered during police raids. The items are undergoing forensic examination to determine their role in the crime.

The suspects have helped investigators identify other key elements in the plot. Notably, they led detectives to the Pangani residence of police officer Juma Ali Hikal, where a vehicle believed to have been used in the hit was recovered.

A search of Hikal’s home also uncovered nine live rounds of ammunition, teargas canisters, and more police gear, all now under forensic review.

Another suspect, identified as Shighali, was captured on CCTV footage trailing MP Were earlier that day along Wabera Street.

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

At Shighali’s home, police recovered over Sh620,000 in cash, additional uniforms, and mobile phones now being combed for digital clues.

Court documents revealed that some of the suspects were in communication before and after the killing, and that a mobile number believed to have been used to coordinate the operation was newly registered under a false identity and has since been deactivated.

Detectives now believe the killing was carried out by an organized criminal network with links to ‘Mjahidin’ group operating in Eastlands.