Witness Tells Court He Was Paid Ksh.50,000 to Transport Alleged Killer in Ong’ondo Were Murder Case

The murder trial of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were resumed behind closed doors at the Kibera Law Courts on Tuesday, with a protected prosecution witness giving chilling testimony that could strengthen the case against the accused persons.

Under heightened security, the eighth prosecution witness narrated to the court how he was allegedly paid Ksh.50,000 to transport a man prosecutors believe carried out the fatal shooting of the late legislator.

According to the witness, the sequence of events began in Jacaranda Estate, where he was summoned and introduced to the first suspect, who would later be identified in court as the alleged gunman. Using his motorcycle, the witness ferried the suspect to a car wash, where they stopped briefly to have a meal before proceeding with their journey.

The witness testified that they later arrived in Buruburu, where they met another suspect who was driving a white Toyota Crown. From there, the motorcycle and the saloon car travelled together towards Nairobi’s Central Business District, making a stop at a petrol station along Jogoo Road, where the driver of the Toyota Crown paid for fuel.

The witness further told the court that one of the suspects was carrying a small bag. He said he was instructed to wait as surveillance was conducted on the victim within the Parliament area.

According to his testimony, he then followed the late MP’s vehicle from the Parliament precincts through Kenyatta Avenue, Valley Road, and Hurlingham, before reaching the Daystar University roundabout.

It was at that location, the witness said, that the suspect instructed him to stop because of traffic congestion. Moments later, he heard gunshots.

The witness testified that shortly after the shots were fired, the suspect ran back, jumped onto the motorcycle, and ordered him to speed away from the scene. They rode back to Buruburu, where they parted ways.

He told the court that he was later paid Ksh.50,000 for the transport service but maintained that he had no knowledge of any murder plot, insisting he believed he had merely been hired to provide transport.

Throughout his testimony before Justice Diana Kavetza, the witness remained under heavy security protection due to the sensitive nature of the case.

His account is expected to play a significant role in the prosecution’s case, as it places both the alleged gunman and the suspected getaway vehicle driver at key locations before and after the fatal shooting of MP Ong’ondo Were.

The proceedings continue under tight security at the Kibera Law Courts as the prosecution seeks to establish the events leading to the assassination and secure justice for the slain legislator.

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Story by Joel Esabu