By Kelly Were
Nairobi, Kenya – The National Police Service has made significant headway in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were, Member of Parliament for Kasipul, who was gunned down on April 30, 2025, along Ngong Road in Nairobi.
In a press briefing held on May 8, Inspector General Douglas Kanja Kirocho confirmed that a Sarsilmaz pistol recovered from a suspect’s residence has been forensically linked to the bullets that took Hon. Were’s life. The weapon, also tied to a string of robberies across Nairobi and Kiambu counties, marks a pivotal moment in a case that has gripped the nation.
“The ballistic report confirms that this firearm was used in the fatal shooting,” stated Kanja. “This is not an isolated incident; the same weapon was used in three other robberies, the latest occurring on April 26.”
An autopsy conducted on May 2 at Lee Funeral Home revealed that Hon. Were suffered five gunshot wounds, all entering from the left side. Two bullets were recovered during the autopsy and one more was found in his vehicle. All were subjected to ballistic analysis, leading to this breakthrough.
Surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and financial records are also being analyzed to strengthen the prosecution’s case. A vehicle believed to have been used to transport the suspects was identified, further tightening the net around the assailants.
So far, ten suspects are in custody, including members of the feared “Mjihadini” gang. On May 5, four of them were arraigned at the JKIA Court, which granted a 30-day custodial order for further investigations. Subsequent arrests led to the discovery of two additional firearms, a bag, and shoes matching those worn at the crime scene.
The attack occurred at 7:40 PM on April 30, when Hon. Were’s vehicle was ambushed by two men on a motorcycle while he was stopped at a traffic light. The assailant on the pillion fired multiple shots at the MP before fleeing. Hon. Were’s driver and bodyguard, both unharmed, rushed him to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police have thanked the public for their cooperation and urged anyone with further information to report via hotline numbers or the #FichuaKwaDCI campaign, with confidentiality assured.
“We remain committed to ensuring that justice is served,” IG Kanja affirmed. “Our officers are working around the clock to bring all perpetrators to book.”
The case is scheduled for court mention on June 5, 2025.
