(Nairobi) – Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were was fatally shot in Nairobi on Tuesday afternoon by unidentified gunmen, prompting national shock and police investigations.
The Member of Parliament for Kasipul constituency was killed in a targeted attack while driving along Ngong Road, close to City Mortuary, shortly after leaving Parliament. Police say two armed men on a motorcycle followed his vehicle before ambushing him during a traffic jam. The assailants smashed his car window and shot him at close range before escaping.
Authorities reported that the motive for the killing was not immediately known. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and other senior officials, including Nairobi police commander George Seda and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, arrived swiftly at the scene and later at Nairobi Hospital, where the body was taken.
The car in which the legislator was shot was left visibly damaged from the attack, and photographs showed it parked outside the hospital. Ong’ondo’s body was moved to the emergency section as his colleagues and public figures arrived in disbelief to confirm the tragic news.
Leaders from across the political spectrum expressed their sorrow and disbelief. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who had been with Were earlier that same day, said the MP had hinted that something was wrong.
“I was with my colleague just this afternoon in Parliament. We chatted, laughed, and he told me, ‘I need a conversation with you, mambo si mazuri (things are not okay).’ Those were his exact words. Five hours later, he is gone. The news is shocking,” Amisi said.
According to police accounts, the incident unfolded just as Were was driving from Parliament towards Mbagathi Road. The attackers seemed to have been trailing him before executing the shooting while he was stuck in traffic.
Key Timeline of Events
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Afternoon, April 30 | MP Ong’ondo leaves Parliament |
| Late afternoon | Attack occurs near City Mortuary |
| Shortly after | Body taken to Nairobi Hospital |
| Evening | Leaders arrive, investigations begin |
Charles Ong’ondo Were was first elected to Parliament in 2017 under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and re-elected in 2022. During his tenure, he served on the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation.
He held academic qualifications including 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, he served in various leadership roles in the private sector.
His death leaves a vacancy in Kasipul constituency and raises serious concerns about the safety of public officials.
Summary of Career and Education
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First Elected | 2017 (ODM) |
| Re-elected | 2022 (ODM) |
| Committee | Blue Economy and Irrigation |
| Degrees | Bachelor & Diploma in Business Management |
| Certificate | Computerised Accounting (Meru University) |
| Background | Leadership roles in the private sector |
Questions remain unanswered about the motive and identity of the attackers as investigations continue. The police have not released further details, and no group has claimed responsibility for the shooting.
This incident marks one of the most high profile political assassinations in recent Kenyan history and casts a shadow over the nation’s political climate.