Kasipul MP, Charles Ong’ondo Were, assasinated in Nairobi
Kasipul Member of Parliament, Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were, was on Wednesday evening shot dead near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.
The lawmaker, elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, was reportedly ambushed by unknown gunmen riding on a motorcycle. The attack occurred at approximately 7:30 PM.
Traffic police officers who were stationed nearby witnessed the shooting and they reported seeing one of the assailants disembarking from the motocycle, approaching the Mp’s vehicle and shooting him at close range before fleeing the scene.
Hon. Were was rushed to Nairobi Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
His driver, who was also in the vehicle during the shooting, survived the attack and is currently assisting police with investigations.
Reports suggest that the MP had previously raised concerns about threats to his life, though it is unclear at this stage whether those threats were connected to today’s incident.
Leaders have mourned the legislator terming his death as a shock.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi recounted the last conversations with Were where he allayed that everything was not well.
“I was with my colleague just this afternoon in parliament, chatted, laughed, and he told me I need a conversation with you, mambo si mazuri. His exact words. Five hours later, he is no more. The news is shocking,” he said.
Credible reports said the MP was shot when he was caught up on traffic jam.
Police have cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt for the attackers
First elected in 2017
Ong’ondo was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2022 on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
In Parliament, he served on the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation.
The Legislator held a Bachelor of Business Management and a Diploma in Business Management from Mt Kenya University, and a Certificate in Computerised Accounting from Meru University.
Before entering politics, Were held leadership roles in the private sector.
Further updates will follow as more details emerge.
