Detectives probing the fatal shooting of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were have recovered three spent cartridges from the crime scene near City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.
The cartridges, believed to have been fired from a pistol, were collected for ballistic analysis by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to determine the firearm’s origin and whether it has been used in previous crimes.
The DCI Homicide Unit, alongside senior police commanders, visited the scene on Thursday, May 1, to reconstruct events leading to the lawmaker’s assassination.
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MP Feared for His Life Before the Attack
According to investigators, Were had earlier sensed a threat to his life. He left Parliament around 6:00 p.m. and abandoned his usual vehicle for a more discreet Toyota Camry. He briefly stopped at Sagret Restaurant along Jakaya Kikwete Road before continuing his journey toward Lang’ata via Valley Road.
Unbeknownst to him, gunmen on a motorcycle had been tailing his vehicle. At around 7:30 p.m., as his car slowed down at a red light near City Mortuary roundabout, a pillion passenger disembarked, walked up to the co-driver’s side, and shot Were multiple times at close range before fleeing.
Targeted Assassination
The MP’s driver and bodyguard, though shocked, managed to rush him to Nairobi Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The attackers appeared to have been focused solely on the MP, as both the driver and bodyguard were unharmed.
The National Police Service (NPS) has termed the incident a “heinous and premeditated crime.” NPS spokesperson Michael Muchiri stated that eyewitnesses confirmed seeing a motorcycle pull up beside the MP’s vehicle moments before the attack.
Top Security Officials React
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, Nairobi Police Chief George Seda, and Interior PS Raymond Omollo were among the senior officials who visited the hospital following the shooting.
Read also:Ruto Orders Probe Into Kasipul MP Charles Were’s Killing
PS Omollo assured Kenyans that the government was actively pursuing all leads. “Our multi-agency teams are fully engaged in bringing the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice,” he said.
Political and Public Reactions
The shocking assassination of MP Were has sparked national outrage, with political leaders calling for swift justice and tighter protection of lawmakers. Were, known for his strong voice on education reforms, was serving his second term as Kasipul MP under the ODM ticket.
The motive behind the killing remains unclear, but investigators are considering both political and personal angles.
More updates to follow as the investigation continues.
