Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were was shot and killed in Nairobi on Wednesday evening, just two months after publicly expressing fears for his life.
According to police reports, the MP was ambushed by gunmen on a motorcycle before 8pm near the City Mortuary roundabout.
Witnesses say two assailants had been trailing his vehicle before one of them dismounted and opened fire at close range.
Were was rushed to Nairobi Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. His driver, who was in the vehicle during the attack, survived.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrived at the scene within two hours to begin a probe into the incident. The motive for the assassination remains unclear.
Following the news, several Members of Parliament, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, and DCI boss Mohamed Amin gathered at Nairobi Hospital. The MP’s body has since been moved to Lee Funeral Home.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma revealed that Were had left Parliament just minutes before he was killed.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula condemned the killing, calling it “a callous and cowardly act committed under the cover of night,” and mourned the loss of “a distinguished legislator, a fearless advocate for his constituents, and a man deeply committed to democratic ideals and public service.”
