Charles Ongondo Were, MP for Kasipul, was shot dead in Nairobi on April 30, 2025. Police suspect a planned attack. Probe underway.
Nairobi – April 30, 2025
Kenya is in mourning after the daylight assassination of Charles Ongondo Were, Member of Parliament for Kasipul Constituency.
Police say the attack was planned and executed by gunmen riding a motorbike. Were was shot at close range in Nairobi and died on the way to the hospital.
The killing has revived fears of political violence, especially in opposition strongholds.
A Rising Political Force from Homa Bay
Were’s political career was marked by resilience. After a failed run in 2013, he clinched the ODM ticket in 2017 and returned to Parliament in 2022. He built a strong base in western Kenya and was a vocal supporter of Raila Odinga.
However, he often clashed with local ODM leaders, including Senator Moses Kajwang’ and Deputy Governor Joseph Magwanga.
“He was fearless and confrontational,” said a former Homa Bay MCA. “That style gained him followers—but also powerful enemies.”
Divisive Reputation and Party Tensions
Were was known for being vocal, but also for stirring controversy.
In 2020, he was fined Ksh15,000 for violating COVID-19 rules by organizing a banned rally. He publicly accused Deputy Governor Magwanga of backing Newton Ogada, a young political rival expected to run in 2027.
While some saw him as a champion for grassroots politics, others in ODM branded him a “political nuisance.”
Linked to a Mysterious Disappearance
In 2024, unconfirmed media reports linked Were to the disappearance of a young woman allegedly lured to Meru County under a fake job promise.
No official charges were filed. Still, the story fed into a growing narrative of scandal and controversy surrounding the MP.
Related: Kenya’s Disappearing Women Crisis – Nation.Africa
The Assassination: A Premeditated Attack
Police say Were was followed by two men on a motorbike after leaving Parliament.
At a traffic stop near city center, the assailants pulled up beside his vehicle and shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene.
His driver and bodyguard were unharmed, but Were was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
CCTV footage is being reviewed, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a full investigation.
Condemnation from Raila and Ruto
The killing triggered swift reactions from national leaders.
Raila Odinga described the shooting as “cowardly and unacceptable.”
President William Ruto called for a thorough investigation and security review for elected officials.
“This isn’t just about one man,” said human rights lawyer Gladys Mueni. “It’s about whether dissenting voices can survive in our democracy.”
The murder adds to a grim history that includes the assassinations of Robert Ouko in 1990 and Jacob Juma in 2016—both cases still unresolved.
A Power Vacuum in Kasipul
Were’s death leaves Kasipul Constituency without representation and ODM facing internal upheaval.
Succession battles are likely to escalate, as rivals position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
The broader question remains: Can Kenya protect its political leaders, especially in regions with deep electoral rivalries?
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