ODM Urges Thorough Investigation into MP Ong’ondo Were’s Premeditated Killing in Nairobi

Charles Ong’ondo Were, the Member of Parliament for Kasipul, was fatally shot on Wednesday evening in Nairobi, prompting a nationwide outcry and immediate calls for a thorough investigation. 

The assassination, which occurred along Ngong Road near the City Mortuary roundabout at approximately 7:30 p.m., has been labelled a premeditated attack by the National Police Service. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the political party to which Were belonged, released a statement expressing deep shock and sorrow over the incident. 

The party confirmed that Were had been engaged in parliamentary duties earlier in the day, leaving the National Assembly around 6:15 p.m.  The ODM describes his death as an "unspeakable loss" and extends condolences to his family, constituents, and the wider Homa Bay County community.

"We have received with shock and disbelief the tragic death of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were—MP Kasipul—at the hands of a gunman," the ODM statement read. 

The party has urged law enforcement agencies to expedite investigations into the killing and vows to release a comprehensive statement at a later date. Eyewitness accounts and initial police reports indicate that unknown assailants on a motorcycle targeted Were. 

The detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), including the homicide unit, visited the crime scene to collect evidence. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that investigations are underway, emphasising the need for swift action. 

"The Inspector General of Police has assured me that investigations have progressed. I urge the relevant agencies to move with speed and thoroughness to bring those involved to justice," Murkomen stated, offering condolences to Were's family.

President William Ruto echoed these sentiments in his condolence message, expressing sorrow over the legislator’s death and calling for a comprehensive investigation. 

"May God grant the family and the people of Kasipul strength to bear with the loss of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were," President Ruto said. "Those responsible must be held to account."

In the months leading up to his assassination, Charles Ong’ondo Were had expressed fears for his life. In a video recorded two months prior to his death during a public event in his constituency, Were claimed that individuals were plotting to kill him and that he was being trailed by unknown parties. He reiterated these concerns at various public events, including funerals disrupted by violence in Kasipul.

On one occasion, Were recounted being blocked on a road after attending a funeral, attributing the incident to orchestrated intimidation. At another public gathering, the legislator warned that outsiders were causing unrest in Kasipul and alleged that plans had been hatched to harm him during a funeral. 

"A meeting was held last night at 8 p.m. involving an MCA and others, with the intent to bring people from Kisumu to cause chaos at a funeral so they can shoot me," Were claimed.

During Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kasipul in 2024, Were walked out, citing intimidation by junior officers. These prior statements and incidents raise critical questions about the motive and circumstances behind Were’s killing. While authorities have acknowledged the premeditated nature of the crime, they have yet to confirm whether Were’s previous concerns are directly connected to the attack.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed recounts his interactions with Were on the day of the attack, noting that Were had been present in Parliament the entire afternoon before leaving shortly before his death. Mohamed describes the incident as "profoundly alarming" and urges law enforcement to share findings with the public promptly. 

"This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly. Kenyans deserve to know what happened to Hon. Were," Mohamed said.