Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- Detectives have made a major step in their efforts to unravel the mysterious murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong'ondo Were.

On Wednesday, May 14, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the arrest of Amos Barasa Kasili, a boda boda rider linked to Were's assassination.

The DCI disclosed that upon interrogation, Barasa admitted having played a role in the killing of the Kasipul lawmaker.

Barasa told detectives that he was paid KSh 50,000 to ferry the main suspects who trailed Were before shooting him near City Mortuary Roundabout on April 30.

"Investigations uncovered that Barasa is a habitual criminal who masquerades as a Boda Boda operator, often collaborating with armed criminal gangs during their operations. During interrogation, he disclosed his involvement in the crime, revealing that he had been engaged by the main actors and received a payment of KSh. 50,000 as part of his compensation," DCI said.

According to the DCI, Barasa was the rider of the motorcycle seen on CCTV footage trailing the slain lawmaker.

Upon his arrest, the suspect was found in possession of the motorcycle in question.

"It was revealed that Barasa served as the rider of the motorcycle with registration number KMFZ 413W, a Bajaj Boxer, which the assailants used to trail the MP's vehicle and later as a getaway bike after the attack. Upon his arrest, Barasa was found in possession of the motorcycle in question. Additionally, the motorcycle recovered from Barasa matches the description of the bike captured by CCTV footage near Parliament, which was seen trailing the late MP's vehicle," the detectives said.

The latest developments come just days after detectives from the DCI arrested a man believed to be responsible for the fatal shooting of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were.

The suspect, identified as Isaac Kuria, also known as "Kush," was apprehended on Sunday, May 11, in Isebania while attempting to flee to Tanzania.

Investigators revealed that after the incident, Kush returned to a residence in Mihango, where a pistol, believed to have been used in the murder, was recovered.

Citizen TV reported that he then took a motorbike to Narok before continuing his journey by a public service vehicle to Isebania.

There, he reportedly went into hiding while awaiting a relative, allegedly living in Tanzania, who was meant to assist with his illegal escape into the neighbouring country.

Despite the commendable job that the sleuths have done in uncovering the faces behind Were's brutal murder at a city roundabout, a section of Kenyans has cast doubts on the efficiency of the operation and the possible outcome.

The arrest of the 12th suspect on Wednesday, May 14, raised eyebrows as some netizens trooped to DCI's social media pages to question if indeed all the arrested suspects were involved in the planning and execution of the MP, or the detectives were merely looking for scapegoats.

Some pointed out that the motorbike recovered by the investigators did not match the features of the bike they described upon reviewing CCTV footage.

The Government Critic 🇰🇪 said:

Is this is a speed bike?????? It was on the news that a speed bike was used. It just continues to expose your incompetence and trying carry Kenyans for fools

Jamie said:

Every day, new suspects, what's that which we don't know? The suspect crack down is on another level compared to other cases!!!! Should we ask more questions?

G. Omogo Otieno said:

Let me wait for tomorrow, definitely you will post another suspect and then write ✍️ composition in the name of a long post. Bwana fanye kazi muache social media ..

Source: TUKO.co.ke