The Kibera Law Courts remained under tight security on Tuesday, July 14, as a protected witness took the stand. The witness, a boda boda rider, provided a detailed account of his role in the events surrounding the death of Charles Ong’ondo Were.
The Kasipul Member of Parliament was shot dead on the evening of Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The seventh prosecution witness told the court how he was hired to transport the suspected hitman before and after the fatal shooting.
Under Heavy Guard
The trial proceeded behind closed doors to ensure the safety of the witness. His identity remains concealed under the Witness Protection Act. Because of these legal protections, the public was barred from the courtroom during his testimony.
The rider described a sequence of events that began at Jacaranda. He was first summoned there to meet a man who would later be identified as the suspected hitman. The two shared a meal at a car wash before continuing their journey to Buruburu.
The Trail Through Nairobi
In Buruburu, the suspects linked up with a second man. This individual was driving a white Toyota Saloon with a registration number starting with KAZ. The motorcycle and the car moved in tandem toward the Nairobi Central Business District.
The witness recalled stopping at a petrol station along Jogoo Road to fuel. The driver of the Toyota paid for the fuel. During the journey, the rider noticed one of the suspects was carrying a small bag.
The rider’s primary task was to wait while the suspects conducted surveillance near the Parliament buildings. Once the victim was spotted, the rider trailed the MP’s vehicle, a white Toyota Crown. The pursuit moved through Kenyatta Avenue, Valley Road, and Hurlingham.
The trail ended at the Daystar University roundabout. Due to heavy traffic, the suspect ordered the rider to stop the motorcycle. Moments later, the silence was broken by the sound of gunshots.
The suspect quickly returned and leapt onto the motorcycle. He commanded the rider to flee the scene immediately. They rushed back to Buruburu, where the witness was later paid for his services.
The witness insisted before Justice Diana Kavedza that he did not know a murder plot, believing he was only providing transport.
A Crucial Link
The prosecution views this testimony as a vital part of their case. It places both the alleged hitman and the driver of the KAZ vehicle at the scene of the crime. Despite the high payment, the rider maintained he was unaware that his services were being used for a criminal mission.
As the trial continues, the Kibera Law Courts remain sealed to the public. The search for justice for the late Charles Ong’ondo Were continues under the direction of Justice Diana Kavedza.
