NAIROBI, Kenya – A Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court has discharged three more suspects initially linked to the murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, bringing the total number of cleared individuals in the high-profile case to five.
Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi released Juma Ali Haikal, Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame on Wednesday after the prosecution informed the court that available evidence did not implicate them in the killing.
The move follows a decision earlier this week by the Makadara Magistrate’s Court to similarly discharge two other suspects—Dennis Sewe Manyasi, the late MP’s driver, and Walter Owino Awino—citing insufficient evidence.
The two are now expected to serve as state witnesses as the case progresses.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has since recommended murder charges against five remaining suspects, who are currently in custody pending mental assessments before taking plea.
Among those still in the spotlight is businessman Phillip Aroko, who was recently granted a cash bail of Sh300,000 but barred from accessing Homa Bay County.
The investigation into MP Were’s death has moved swiftly, drawing national attention for its pace and complexity.
Authorities have maintained that while several early arrests have been ruled out as unrelated, key suspects remain under scrutiny as the case builds toward trial.
