High Court Orders Philip Aroko to Remain in Custody for 7 Days in MP Were Murder Probe

The High Court has upheld a directive requiring businessman and political figure Philip Aroko to remain in police custody for seven days, as investigations continue into the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

Aroko was initially presented before the JKIA Law Courts on May 9, where Magistrate Irene Gichobi granted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) a one-week period to hold him. The DCI had sought a longer detention—up to 30 days—citing Aroko’s alleged involvement in the planning and financing of the assassination. However, the court ruled that a seven-day detention was sufficient at this stage, especially since Aroko had voluntarily turned himself in and pledged full cooperation with authorities.

Aroko’s legal team had filed a petition demanding that he be presented in court, accusing the police of detaining him unlawfully and denying him communication for more than 12 hours. Following this, the High Court ordered his production before a magistrate, leading to the formalization of the seven-day detention order.

The court also directed that Aroko be held at Kileleshwa Police Station, taking into account his request to remain near his ailing spouse and to access prescribed medication.

Meanwhile, investigators are reviewing financial transactions and phone records that allegedly tie Aroko to the broader conspiracy. Several other suspects have been arrested, and the DCI continues to follow leads as pressure mounts to bring those responsible for the MP’s death to justice.