Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were was tragically shot dead on Tuesday evening in a shocking attack along Ngong Road near City Mortuary.
Preliminary police reports indicate that the legislator was ambushed by two gunmen on a motorbike while caught in traffic after leaving Parliament.
The assailants reportedly smashed the window of his car and shot him at close range before fleeing the scene. Ong’ondo was rushed to Nairobi Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
His body was moved to the hospital’s emergency wing as colleagues and top government officials, including DCI boss Mohamed Amin, Nairobi Police Commander George Seda, and Interior PS Raymond Omollo, arrived to confirm the incident.
Leaders across the political divide mourned the MP, describing his death as a massive blow to the nation. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi shared a chilling final conversation, recalling that Were had confided in him hours earlier saying, “Mambo si mazuri,” hinting that all was not well.
Elected under the ODM banner in 2017 and re-elected in 2022, Ong’ondo served in the National Assembly’s Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation. He held a Bachelor’s and Diploma in Business Management from Mt Kenya University and had a background in private sector leadership.
Investigations into the motive of the killing are ongoing, as detectives work to track down the attackers. The brazen nature of the assassination has reignited concerns over the safety of public officials in Kenya.
