The nation is reeling after the fatal shooting of Kasipul Member of Parliament, Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was gunned down in a brazen attack near City Mortuary on Ngong Road late Tuesday.
Witnesses say the legislator was caught in traffic when two assailants on a motorbike approached his vehicle, smashed a window, and opened fire at close range before escaping. The attack occurred shortly after he left Parliament and was en route to Mbagathi Road.
Paramedics rushed him to Nairobi Hospital, where efforts to revive him failed. His remains were moved to the hospital’s emergency section as senior security and government officials, including DCI Director Mohamed Amin, Nairobi Police Commander George Seda, and Interior PS Raymond Omollo, arrived on the scene.
Final Words and Unsettling Premonition
The killing has stirred deep sorrow and speculation. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, one of the last colleagues to speak with Were, revealed that the MP had expressed unease just hours before his death.
“He told me, ‘I need to speak with you. Things are not okay.’ Just hours later, he was gone,” Amisi said, visibly emotional.
Public Service Cut Short
Charles Ong’ondo Were, a two-term legislator under the ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) party, was serving on the Blue Economy and Irrigation Committee in the National Assembly. He had built a reputation as a grounded, business-savvy politician with strong grassroots ties.
Educated at Mt Kenya University and Meru University, Were held qualifications in business management and computerized accounting. Before politics, he worked in senior roles within Kenya’s private sector.
His sudden death has left constituents, friends, and fellow lawmakers stunned, with many demanding a swift and thorough investigation.
Investigation Underway
Security agencies have since launched a full-scale manhunt for the suspects. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby buildings and canvassing the area for witnesses.
While no motive has yet been officially confirmed, investigators are looking into possible political and criminal angles given the deliberate nature of the attack.
A Nation in Mourning
The late MP’s legacy as a voice for the people of Kasipul and his efforts toward economic empowerment and irrigation development will be remembered. Political leaders across the spectrum have condemned the killing and called for justice.
His death marks a troubling moment for Kenyan politics, raising new concerns about the safety of public officials and the rise in targeted violence in urban centers.
