Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has urged residents to uphold peace and unity during the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were’s funeral on Friday, May 9.
In a message addressed to the people of Homa Bay on Monday, May 5, Wanga emphasized the importance of honoring the late leader with dignity and respect.
“To our great people of Homa Bay County, from Konyango Rabuor, Aora Chuodho, Nyandiwa, Mangano and Ngodhe Islands and from our borders in Miriu-Nyakwere, Sondu River, Chabera and Ruga in Rachuonyo; let peace prevail as we mourn our son.
“I wish to call for a peaceful, dignified and befitting send off for Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were on Friday 9th May 2025. Let us unite in the burial and give our beloved son, Jakowaro, Wuon Ojaa, Ogai Ma Milambo, Sir Chalis and Hon. Ong’ondo Were, a peaceful and dignified farewell. May he rest in eternal peace,” she said.
Wanga also highlighted the grief and pain the community is experiencing but acknowledged the progress of the investigations.
“We have lost a beloved son of our soil, and mourn we must, but I call on all of us to exercise restraint as we continue to mourn. We appreciate the firm directions given by The President to expedite the investigations and bring the culprits to book.
“We take note of the progress and arrests made and look forward to a final outcome of the matter,” she added.
Four suspects including William Imoli Shighali, Juma Ali Haikai, Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame, were arraigned at the JKIA Law Courts on Monday, May 5, in connection with the assassination.
However, the court granted police an additional 30 days to detain the suspects at Ruaraka, Muthaiga, Capitol Hill, and Kilimani police stations to allow for further investigations.
According to investigators, Shighali, Haikai, and Kagame were apprehended together in the Roysambu area of Nairobi.
Also, detectives disclosed that they had traced the route of a motorcycle allegedly used to follow the MP from Parliament Buildings, through Wabera Street, to the Nairobi Funeral Home roundabout, where he was ultimately gunned down.
On the other hand, Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor confirmed that the late MP died from excessive bleeding after sustaining five gunshot wounds to the chest and arms.
