How police used forensic tools to nab suspects in Kasipul MP murder

As the investigation into the murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were intensified,  a gun believed to have been used in the murder of the MP has been ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001518510/gun-linked-to-kasipul-mps-murder-found-as-police-arrest-10-suspects">traced and retained<.  

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Thursday said a forensic analysis of the firearms collected directly links one to the shots that killed the MP.

According to Kanja, two guns, a Retay Falcon pistol and a Sarsilmaz pistol, were recovered from a suspect’s apartment.

He said a forensic investigation yielded critical evidence, including ballistic confirmation linking a recovered firearm to Were’s death.

The police boss said the progress was a testament to the State’s resolve to uphold justice, protect citizens, and bring criminals to book.

Kanja said ballistic tests revealed the weapon has also been connected to three previous robbery incidents in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, with the most recent crime occurring on April 26, 2025.

Through a swift deployment of forensic teams, use of ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001518313/weres-bodyguard-driver-arrested-in-connection-to-kasipul-mp-murder">advanced ballistics<, and public cooperation, Kanja said the police also dismantled a gang linked to multiple crimes. 

According to detectives, a bag and footwear matching descriptions of items worn by one of the suspects at the crime scene, were also recovered.

“The ballistic report we have received unequivocally links the Sarsilmaz pistol, recovered from the residence of one of the suspects, to the fatal shots that took the MP’s life,” Kanja said.

The second term legislator was gunned down at around 7.40pm on May 30 near the City Mortuary roundabout by a pillion passenger riding on a motorcycle.

His driver and the bodyguard, both unharmed, rushed Were to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo assured the public of the government’s commitment to establish the motive behind the killing of the MP.

Dr Omollo called for calm during Were’s funeral service on Friday 9, even as he announced that proper security has been put in place to ensure order during the burial ceremony.

“We expect everything to be okay. We call for calm because we need to give him a decent send off. We expect the ceremony will be peaceful. We have several government agencies working with the leadership of Homa Bay County to ensure peace,” Omollo said.

Kanja emphasised that “proper security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that peace prevails during the funeral.”

During the status update yesterday, the police boss also revealed that two more suspects linked to the murder were arrested on Wednesday night, bringing the total number of those apprehended to 10.

This happens even as the police holds, for 30 days, four key suspects who were the first to be ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001518436/police-identify-murder-weapon-linked-to-kasipul-mp-ongondo-were">apprehended and arraigned< on May 5 before JKIA Law Courts. The mention of the case is scheduled for June, 5, 2025. 

Some of the suspects, the police said, are believed to be members of the Mujahidin, an organised criminal gang known for armed robberies in Nairobi’s Eastlands area.

Their arrest, the police said, has provided crucial leads to unravel the mystery, culminating into arrest of the slain MP’s driver and bodyguard who are said to have been in communication with the assassins moments before the fatal incident. 

On Wednesday night, businessman cum politician Philip Aroko presented himself at Gigiri Police Station after he was summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

He has been named as a person of interest in the murder of the Kasipul MP, allegations he termed as politically instigated.