Ong'ondo were murder: Hearing date set as an accused turned to State witness

The murder trial of former Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo is set to begin on February 9, 2026 at 8 am, with five witnesses expected to testify on the first day.

Trial judge Diana Kavedza directed defence lawyer Chacha Mwita, together with his client, to properly organise photographic evidence, including images showing alleged bullet holes in vehicles, noting this would help expedite the trial.

During the brief mention on Thursday, the court was informed that a plea agreement has been reached with one of the accused persons, who has since turned state witness and will be the first to testify.

Judge Kavedza also urged Mwita to thoroughly review the evidence with his witness ahead of the hearing.

During a pre-trial session held on October 29, 2025, the High Court in Kibera issued key directions aimed at streamlining the murder trial proceedings.

The session was primarily devoted to compliance with pre-trial requirements, including the exchange and verification of documentary evidence between the prosecution and the accused persons.

At the hearing, the accused were given an opportunity to exchange bundles and physically review each other’s files and documents while seated in the dock.

The court confirmed that the materials contained the evidence the prosecution intended to rely on during the trial.

Justice Diana Kavedza directed the accused to carefully examine the documents, stressing the importance of ensuring that all evidence intended to be used against them had been properly disclosed at this early stage.

"Organise and paginate the bundles properly to make it easier for the prosecution. If this is not done, the hearing will take longer than necessary and it may also make it difficult for the defence to effectively cross-examine witnesses," she stated.

Addressing the investigating officer, Justice Kavedza raised concerns over the organisation of the documentary evidence.

These directions followed the High Court’s decision to summon the investigating officer to court, after it emerged that the state of the documentary evidence could potentially derail the trial if left unaddressed.

The pre-trial session concluded with the court expressing satisfaction that the parties had been granted sufficient opportunity to familiarise themselves with the evidence. 

The five accused, William Imoli Shigali, Edwin Odour Odhiambo, Ebel Ochieng’, known as Dave Calo; Isaac Kuria Chege, alias Kush; and Allan Omondi Ogola, face charges related to the murder of the former Kasipul legislator.

Were was gunned down on the evening of April 30, 2025, during what police described as a targeted and premeditated attack.

The killing took place in Nairobi, Kenya, along Ngong Road near the City Mortuary roundabout, at about 7:30 p.m, when his vehicle was stopped in traffic under red lights.

Eyewitnesses and police said a gunman riding as a passenger on a motorcycle pulled up alongside the car, approached the passenger side and opened fire at close range before fleeing on the motorcycle.