NAIROBI, Kenya – Businessman Phillip Aroko, a prime suspect in the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Were, has been released on a cash bail of Sh300,000 by the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts.
Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi granted the bail on Thursday, but imposed strict conditions on Aroko’s release.
He is required to surrender his passport, is barred from travelling to Homa Bay—the late MP’s home county—and must not contact any witnesses, co-suspects, or members of the deceased’s family.
The court also prohibited Aroko from interfering with evidence and directed that he report regularly to investigating officers while cooperating fully with the probe.
Aroko is one of 11 suspects currently under investigation for the killing of MP Were, whose murder has gripped the public and sparked political tensions in Homa Bay and beyond.
During the court session, the prosecution had opposed Aroko’s release, arguing that the case is of significant public interest and that detectives needed more time to determine his involvement.
“He has been cooperative,” the prosecutor acknowledged. “But this case involves the death of a sitting Member of Parliament. We requested to hold him for seven more days to complete critical investigations and determine whether to charge or release him.”
Magistrate Gichobi, however, found no compelling reason to detain Aroko further but emphasized that the conditions of release must be strictly adhered to.
The case will be mentioned again on June 3, 2025, as investigations continue.
