MP Assassinated in Nairobi: Outrage and Calls for Justice Sparked by Shooting

Kenya grapples with the shocking assassination of Charles Ong'ondo Were, an MP, as political leaders demand accountability for this brutal act.

In a brazen act of violence, Kenyan MP Charles Ong'ondo Were was shot dead by individuals on a motorcycle in Nairobi, raising concerns about rising political assassinations in the country. The attack unfolded as the assailants trailed Were's vehicle, and police later stated that it seemed premeditated. A police spokesperson, Muchiri Nyaga, emphasized the targeted nature of the crime.

Just two months prior, Were had voiced his fears over threats to his safety, making the circumstances of his assassination even more alarming. Despite his driver and bodyguard managing to get him to Nairobi Hospital quickly, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The incident, which occurred on a busy Ngong Road, caught the attention of senior police officials who promptly initiated an investigation into the shooting.

In the wake of the assassination, President William Ruto urged law enforcement to expedite their investigations, stressing that justice must be served. Fellow lawmakers expressed profound shock and sorrow, emphasized by Parliament Speaker Moses Wetang'ula's tribute to Were as a courageous leader. The slain MP represented the Kasipul constituency affiliated with the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, led by Raila Odinga.

Odinga condemned the attack in a statement, referring to Were's death as a ruthless act by an assassin and lamenting the loss of a dedicated public servant. The former Prime Minister, who has previously faced electoral disputes against President Ruto, now confronts this tragic loss at a time when political tensions remain high in the nation. As investigations continue, the cries for accountability and justice resonate throughout Kenya, prompting debates about the safety of public officials in an increasingly volatile political landscape.