In a stunning reversal, the High Court has revoked bail for Philip Aroko, the controversial gold scam suspect now entangled in the high-profile murder probe of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were.
On Monday, Justice Kavenza ruled that Aroko must remain in police custody until May 26, 2025, overturning an earlier ruling by a JKIA Chief Magistrate.
The judge cited the complexity and sensitivity of the investigation and warned that granting bail at this point could derail the pursuit of justice.
Why the High Court Overturned the Bail Decision
The High Court made it clear: the stakes are too high to risk releasing Philip Aroko. Justice Kavenza found the prosecution’s request to hold Aroko longer both urgent and reasonable.
The prosecution argued that Aroko’s release posed a serious risk of interference with witnesses and evidence. The judge agreed, stating that the investigation into MP Ong’ondo Were’s murder was “complex and sensitive,” requiring more time and fewer obstacles.
By certifying the matter as urgent, the court sent a strong message—it will prioritize the integrity of investigations over the temporary freedoms of suspects with questionable reputations. Although the court emphasized that this is not a denial of Aroko’s constitutional rights, it made it clear that justice must be safeguarded.
Aroko will now remain at Kileleshwa Police Station as detectives continue piecing together evidence linking him to the assassination.
Philip Aroko and the Gold Scam Empire
Before his name surfaced in connection with the MP’s murder, Philip Aroko was already infamous in Kenya’s murky underworld. He was widely believed to be a major player in the notorious gold scam network known as “wash wash”—a multimillion-shilling con game that lured foreign investors with promises of fake gold deals.
Authorities have linked Aroko to several fraud investigations involving fake minerals, forged customs documents, and collusion with corrupt state officials. He used a web of shell companies and offshore accounts to stay hidden—until his arrest in the Ong’ondo Were case thrust him into the public eye.
Insiders say his political ambitions in Kasipul Kabondo may have put him on a collision course with the late MP. Some speculate that his involvement in the gold scam may have also given him powerful enemies—or dangerous allies—making his case far more explosive than initially thought.
Fears of Witness Tampering Led to Bail Revocation
One of the main reasons Justice Kavenza overturned Aroko’s bail was the fear that he might obstruct justice.
The Chief Magistrate had initially released Aroko on bail under strict conditions: no contact with witnesses and no involvement with co-accused persons. But the prosecution filed a fresh application, warning the High Court that Aroko had both the means and motive to manipulate the investigation.
With access to cash and influence, Aroko is not your average suspect. The prosecution argued that allowing him out could compromise witnesses, many of whom are reportedly in hiding or under police protection.
The High Court listened. Citing the need to balance constitutional rights with investigative integrity, it ruled that Aroko’s continued detention is a “temporary measure” that does not deny him due process.
Aroko’s Political Dreams Now in Limbo
Before his arrest, Philip Aroko had been eyeing a political seat in Kasipul Kabondo—ironically, the same constituency represented by the slain MP Ong’ondo Were.
Political insiders say Aroko was quietly laying the groundwork for a campaign, possibly eyeing a 2027 run. His rising profile, combined with his questionable business background, raised eyebrows and ruffled feathers within the local political class.
Now, his political future appears bleak. With murder allegations hanging over his head and mounting scrutiny from both the courts and the public, Aroko is facing the toughest battle of his life.
