Charles Ong’ondo Were, the Member of Parliament for Kasipul constituency in western Kenya, was fatally shot in Nairobi on Wednesday evening.
The attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. local time, when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on his vehicle, according to local media reports.
Police have described the incident as a targeted and premeditated attack.
Ong’ondo was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting. The assailants fled the scene, and authorities have launched an investigation to apprehend those responsible.
Ong’ondo, a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), had represented Kasipul since 2017.
He was known for his advocacy on education and rural development issues. His death has sent shockwaves through the political community, with colleagues expressing grief and calling for swift justice.
The motive behind the killing remains unclear, and police have not yet released further details. The incident underscores growing concerns about the safety of public officials in Kenya.
As the investigation unfolds, the nation mourns the loss of a dedicated public servant.
Charles Were was a vocal figure in Parliament, known for championing rural education, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment in Homa Bay County. He had served Kasipul since 2017.
ODM leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga described the killing as a “huge blow to the people of Kasipul and the nation at large.”
“Hon. Were was a young, dedicated legislator with a promising future. His killers must be brought to book,” said Odinga.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also weighed in, urging authorities to get to the bottom of the attack swiftly. “This is not just a loss for one constituency, but for Kenya’s democracy,” he said in a statement.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga echoed the calls for speedy investigations, saying, “The people of Homa Bay are devastated. We want answers, and we want justice.”
Shock and Uncertainty
The brazen nature of the shooting—executed in peak traffic at a busy Nairobi intersection—has heightened public anxiety. It also raises fresh questions about the safety of public officials in Kenya.
Security analysts say political killings in the country, though rare in recent years, still evoke painful memories of the post-election violence that rocked Kenya in 2007–2008. While police have not indicated any political motive so far, they have not ruled it out either.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were on the scene hours after the shooting, collecting CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the attackers acted “like professionals.” “It happened so fast—just a few shots, then they were gone,” the witness recalled.
The Road Ahead
Charles Were’s body is currently at Nairobi Hospital’s morgue as the police begin postmortem arrangements and investigations. The family, colleagues, and friends are grappling with the sudden loss.
Muchiri Nyaga urged the public to assist with information. “Anyone who witnessed the incident or has knowledge that could help us should contact their nearest police station or call our hotline,” he said.
As tributes pour in and investigators work to piece together what happened, Kenya is left confronting a chilling question: who wanted Charles Were dead—and why?
