•Nation Mourns Amid Shadows of Controversy
Nairobi, Kenya| Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were was shot dead in broad daylight on Tuesday in a chilling execution-style attack along Nairobi’s Ngong Road, sending shockwaves across the country and plunging Homa Bay County into mourning.
According to preliminary police reports, the 51-year-old legislator was ambushed near the City Mortuary Roundabout by two unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle.
Witnesses said the attackers approached the MP’s vehicle in traffic before one gunman disembarked and fired multiple close-range shots into his chest. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack and remain at large.
Mr. Were was rushed to Nairobi Hospital by first responders but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival due to the severity of his injuries.
His driver, who sustained gunshot wounds, is currently receiving medical attention and is reported to be in stable condition.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed the incident and personally visited Nairobi Hospital’s emergency wing, where the slain legislator’s body is being held.
A nationwide manhunt has since been launched to track down the perpetrators, with security agencies reportedly following several promising leads.
“We are deeply shocked by the tragic killing of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo,” said Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo.
“As the ministry responsible for national security, we want to assure the public that no effort will be spared in bringing the criminals to justice.”
Nationwide Mourning and Political Reactions
Tributes poured in from across the political divide, reflecting both the grief and disbelief gripping the country.
“A dark cloud hangs over us,” said Kibra MP Obaricks Eric Ochieng. “We haven’t just lost a leader, we’ve lost a son, a pillar, a man of the people.”
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga expressed his outrage, writing on social media, “We have lost a gallant son of the soil! Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were is no more; mercilessly and in cold blood, gunned down by an assassin in Nairobi this evening.”
In Kasipul and the broader Homa Bay region, stunned residents gathered in silence, mourning a man many described as a community champion and tireless advocate for development.
Questions Emerge Amid Controversy
While the motive behind the assassination remains unknown, new and resurfaced allegations surrounding the late MP’s past have sparked renewed scrutiny and controversy.
Close allies reportedly confirmed that Mr. Were had recently voiced fears for his safety, citing unspecified threats. However, not all voices in the public domain have offered condolences.
On social media and in local forums, accusations have resurfaced linking the MP to past incidents of political violence and personal misconduct.
Some critics allege that Were was associated with youth gang violence in his constituency and was involved in several unresolved cases.
One of the most persistent accusations concerns the 2009 disappearance of Doughty Apondi, a young woman who was reportedly taken to Meru by Mr. Were under the pretense of employment. According to Apondi’s family, she has never been seen since.
Her mother died heartbroken years later after reportedly receiving no answers from the MP regarding her daughter’s fate.
In a separate social media post, a woman identifying herself as Irene Ajwang accused the MP of land grabbing and using unscrupulous means to seize a family home in Karen.
“My spirit will not release you,” she wrote. “Tears of a divorced woman on behalf of her children.”
Despite these claims, no formal charges were ever brought against Mr. Were, and he maintained his political position across successive election cycles.
A Complex Legacy
Charles Ong’ondo Were was serving his second term as Kasipul MP and was a prominent figure within the political landscape of Nyanza region.
Known for his bold rhetoric and grassroots mobilization, he built a strong support base in his constituency, focusing on education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
However, as the nation mourns his death, the lingering controversies suggest a complex legacy—one that will be debated long after the final rites are performed.
Security Agencies Under Pressure
The brazen nature of the killing has raised fresh concerns over the rising trend of political violence and impunity in Kenya.
Public pressure is mounting on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and transparently.
As investigations continue, authorities have called for calm, urging the public not to speculate or take matters into their own hands.
“We ask all Kenyans to stand together in peace,” said PS Omollo. “Let us allow the law to take its course.”
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
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