Charles Ong’ondo Were Shot Dead in Nairobi in Suspected Assassination

Kenyan Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were has been shot dead in the capital city Nairobi, in what authorities believe was a targeted assassination.

The incident happened late on Wednesday along Ngong Road, a busy and well-secured area frequently monitored by traffic police and CCTV cameras. According to police reports, two gunmen on a motorcycle followed Were’s vehicle. One of them got off the bike and shot the MP at close range.

Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga stated, “The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and predetermined.”

The MP’s driver and bodyguard, who were not injured, immediately rushed him to Nairobi Hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Were, a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by opposition figure Raila Odinga, had complained of death threats just two months ago, according to local media. He represented the Kasipul constituency in western Kenya.

The killing has sparked outrage and concern across the country. President William Ruto has ordered a full investigation, demanding that those responsible be held accountable.

“Those responsible must be held to account,” said the President in a statement.

Fellow legislators who visited the crime scene described the incident as shocking and tragic. Parliament Speaker Moses Wetang’ula called Were a “fearless and distinguished” legislator and said the shooting was “devastating.”

ODM leader Raila Odinga condemned the attack strongly, saying: “We have lost a gallant son of the soil! He was mercilessly and in cold blood, gunned down by an assassin.”

Odinga, who lost to Ruto in the 2022 presidential election, had raised issues of election irregularities at the time. However, he later entered a political agreement with Ruto, which allowed some opposition members to join the broad-based government.

Investigations are ongoing, and senior police officers and detectives are already working on collecting evidence from the scene.