Kasipul Member of Parliament, Charles Ong’ondo Were, has been shot dead by gunmen in a brazen daylight attack along Ngong Road, near City Mortuary in Nairobi. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has confirmed the incident, describing it as a tragic loss and demanding urgent action from security authorities.
According to an official statement issued by ODM late Wednesday night, the MP was actively engaged in parliamentary duties earlier in the day before leaving the precincts of Parliament Buildings at around 6:15 PM. Hours later, he was gunned down by assailants believed to have been riding on a motorcycle—a tactic commonly associated with hit squads in the country.
“We have received with shock and disbelief the tragic death of the Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were – MP for Kasipul – at the hands of a gunman along Ngong Road, Nairobi this evening. Hon. Were was in Parliament for the better part of the day and left at 6:15 PM after participating in the business of the day,” read part of the statement from ODM.
The party described the incident as deeply disturbing and called on the police service to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the killing, and to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.
“While we join his constituents, the people of the great County of Homa Bay, his family, colleagues, and friends in mourning, we call on the police to investigate the shooting incident and bring the culprits to book. We shall issue a comprehensive statement in due course,” ODM added.
A Targeted Hit
In a separate statement, police confirmed that the fatal shooting appeared to be a targeted killing. Early investigations suggest that the gunmen may have been trailing the legislator for some time.
Eyewitness reports indicate that the assassins, who were on a motorbike, approached the vehicle in which the MP was seated before opening fire at close range. Traffic police officers stationed nearby are reported to have witnessed the incident, though it remains unclear whether they engaged the assailants or attempted to apprehend them.
The MP’s driver reportedly escaped the attack unharmed.
The brazenness of the attack, especially along a busy section of Ngong Road in the early evening, has sparked widespread concern and renewed scrutiny on the safety of public officials in the country.
Prior Warnings Ignored?
Perhaps more chilling is the fact that Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were had previously expressed fears for his life.
A video clip that has been circulating widely on social media shows the late MP warning the public that he had received credible threats. In the viral footage, he even named individuals he claimed were behind the threats. The footage has since resurfaced, fuelling public outrage over why no protective measures were seemingly put in place.
“He wasn’t hiding,” a user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “He named them. He told us. Now he’s dead. This isn’t just a killing. It’s a message. Who’s next?”
The clip and comments have drawn parallels with other recent cases in which high-profile individuals reported threats only for security organs to respond posthumously.
National Outcry
The assassination has triggered widespread condemnation across the political divide, with leaders and citizens alike expressing grief and concern over the rising cases of insecurity targeting public figures.
Several MPs have taken to social media to express their sorrow and to call for immediate investigations. Others have questioned whether Parliament and national security agencies are taking threats against lawmakers seriously enough.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga issued a brief statement calling for calm while demanding that justice be served swiftly.
“This is not just a loss for Kasipul, but for the entire county. Charles was a leader committed to the service of his people. We demand swift and decisive action,” said Wanga.
Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo also weighed in, saying the attack was “a tragic reminder that political assassinations, long thought to be a relic of a bygone era, are still a terrifying reality.”
Political Undertones?
While no clear motive has yet been officially established, the targeted nature of the attack has given rise to speculation about potential political motivations.
The late Charles Ong’ondo Were was a vocal MP known for his candid and sometimes controversial views within the Orange Democratic Movement and on national matters. Though loyal to the ODM party, he occasionally took independent positions that attracted both admiration and criticism.
Political analysts have already begun drawing comparisons to other unsolved political assassinations in Kenya’s post-independence history, warning that unless investigations are handled transparently and swiftly, public confidence in law enforcement and national security institutions may erode further.
Questions for Authorities
As calls mount for justice, key questions remain unanswered:
- Who were the assailants and what was their motive?
- Were there lapses in security protocols, particularly after the MP’s public declaration that his life was under threat?
- Why was he not under state protection following his warnings?
- What role, if any, did politics play in his death?
These are the questions Kenyans are now demanding answers to, as the country grapples with the shock of another violent death of a sitting MP.
ODM to Issue Full Statement
ODM has said it will issue a more comprehensive statement in due course, after consulting with the family and relevant stakeholders. The party has also requested members and supporters to remain calm and allow the authorities to handle the matter.
A post-mortem and formal investigation are expected to commence immediately.
Conclusion
The killing of Charles Ong’ondo Were has jolted the nation and rekindled painful memories of past political assassinations. As Kenyans wait for answers, the demand for accountability, protection of elected leaders, and justice grows louder.
The manner of his death—targeted, public, and reportedly predictable—raises unsettling questions about safety, impunity, and the value placed on human life in the country’s political sphere.
