NAIROBI, Kenya — The brazen assassination of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were on Wednesday evening has left Kenya terrified—and police pointing to a chilling conclusion: it was no random act.
The National Police Service has now confirmed the fatal shooting was not only deliberate but “targeted and predetermined.” Were, who had served in Parliament since 2017 under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), was gunned down at around 7:30 p.m. near the City Mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road, a grim location that has only added to the somber national mood.
A Deadly Stop at a Nairobi Traffic Light
According to a statement from police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, Were was seated in a white Toyota Crown that had stopped at a red light when a motorcycle carrying two men pulled up beside it.
The pillion passenger approached the vehicle, fired multiple shots into the passenger side, then leapt back onto the motorbike and sped off.
The driver and another male passenger—both unharmed—rushed the wounded legislator to Nairobi Hospital, but Were was declared dead on arrival.
“This was no act of spontaneous violence,” said Nyaga. “The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and predetermined.”
Detectives and senior police officials quickly arrived at the scene, including Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin, Nairobi police boss George Seda, and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
Outpouring of Shock, Grief, and Political Tension
The tragedy has left fellow leaders in disbelief. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi took to social media to share his last interaction with Were earlier that day. “We chatted, laughed… then he told me, ‘I need a conversation with you, mambo si mazuri [things are not good],’” Amisi recalled. “Five hours later, he is no more.”
The late MP had just begun his second term and was serving on the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation.
His professional background included leadership roles in the private sector, supported by a Bachelor of Business Management and a diploma in the same field from Mt. Kenya University. He also held a certificate in computerised accounting from Meru University.
Colleagues described him as approachable and committed to his constituents. His unexpected death has rattled not just the political class but a public already fatigued by rising insecurity in urban centers.
Police Vow Swift Justice as Public Urged to Help
The National Police Service has labeled the shooting a “heinous and senseless crime,” assuring Kenyans that no resource will be spared to bring the killers to justice.
Authorities are now urging anyone with information to come forward by visiting the nearest police station or using toll-free numbers 999, 112, or Fichua kwa DCI at 0800 722 203.
The statement from NPS also conveyed condolences to Were’s family, colleagues in Parliament, and the people of Kasipul.
As the investigation unfolds, one thing is painfully clear: this was a coordinated hit on a sitting MP in the heart of the capital—a chilling reminder that violence is inching dangerously close to Kenya’s political class.
The question on everyone’s mind now isn’t just who pulled the trigger, but why.
