The assassination of Kenyan MP Charles Ong'ondo Were has raised serious security concerns and prompted widespread condemnation from political leaders and the public alike in Nairobi.
Kenyan Lawmaker Assassinated in Suspected Targeted Attack in Nairobi
Kenyan Lawmaker Assassinated in Suspected Targeted Attack in Nairobi
Opposition MP Charles Ong'ondo Were shot dead, sparking outrage and calls for accountability in Kenya.
A Kenyan member of parliament has been gunned down in what authorities are calling a targeted assassination. Charles Ong'ondo Were was shot by assailants on a motorcycle as he traveled through the busy streets of Nairobi. The police reported that the shooters had closely tracked his vehicle before one of them approached and fired at him at close range. According to police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the crime appears "targeted and predetermined."
Reports indicate that Were had previously voiced concerns about threats against his life, highlighting an atmosphere of danger surrounding certain political figures. Following the shooting on Wednesday evening, his driver and bodyguard raced him to a nearby hospital, but Were was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The attack took place along Ngong Road, an area typically patrolled by law enforcement and equipped with surveillance cameras. In response to the incident, President William Ruto has demanded an expedited investigation, insisting that those responsible must face justice. The swift condemnation of the act was mirrored across the political spectrum, with fellow lawmakers expressing disbelief and outrage at the brutal killing.
Parliament Speaker Moses Wetang'ula characterized Were as a "fearless and distinguished" member of parliament, describing the situation as "devastating." Representing the Kasipul constituency for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Were was a prominent opposition figure, having served his second term in parliament.
ODM leader Raila Odinga, who lost the 2022 presidential election to Ruto and has since forged a coalition government, denounced the killing as a cold-blooded assassination while mourning the loss of a courageous leader who stood for his constituents. The ongoing investigation into the assassination not only seeks justice for Were but also raises critical questions about the safety of political figures in Kenya, particularly amid rising tensions in the political landscape.
