The fatal shooting of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were on Wednesday evening has cast a grim spotlight on the state of public safety in Kenya, igniting calls for urgent action to address growing fears over political violence and impunity.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) visited the scene of the attack near City Mortuary roundabout along Ngong Road where the MP was gunned down by assailants on a motorcycle in what many observers are calling a calculated and chilling execution.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that investigators are pursuing leads and emphasized the seriousness of the case. “Following the shooting to death of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were last evening, the Inspector General of Police has assured me that investigations have advanced,” he said.
He urged law enforcement to pursue the matter with urgency and precision: “I urge the investigative agencies to move with speed and thoroughness and bring those involved to book.”
The assassination has not only shocked the MP’s constituents in Kasipul but also raised alarm among leaders and the public over the potential normalization of politically linked violence. President William Ruto weighed in on the matter, calling for a full and transparent investigation.
In his message of condolence, the President said: “May God grant the family and the people of Kasipul strength to bear with the loss of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were.”
He stressed the need for accountability, urging security authorities to identify and prosecute the perpetrators swiftly. “The National Police Service must swiftly investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable,” he said.
As the homicide unit continues its investigation, the nation grapples with the implications of such a high-profile killing, prompting debate over the effectiveness of existing security frameworks and the rising danger faced by public officials.
