Investigations into the brutal murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were have intensified, with an autopsy scheduled for Monday at the Lee Funeral Home ahead of his burial on May 9 in Homa Bay County.
The lawmaker was gunned down on April 30, 2025, in broad daylight along Valley Road near City Mortuary, sending shockwaves across the nation. Authorities have since arrested four suspects in connection with the assassination, among them a serving police officer believed to have pulled the trigger.
The suspects, who include members of the notorious criminal gang “Mjahidin,” were captured on Sunday morning in a hideout in Dandora. The police have recovered critical evidence, including three motorcycles and two vehicles believed to have been used in the assassination plot and escape operation. Detectives say the killer fired the fatal shot before jumping onto a waiting motorcycle, later switching to a car that sped off toward Dandora, where the suspects had been holed up since Wednesday night.
Police spokesman Michael Muchiri confirmed that investigators are working tirelessly to establish the motive behind the killing. “Our teams are leveraging technical expertise to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation,” Muchiri stated, urging the public to remain calm and avoid speculation.
President William Ruto, speaking in Migori County on Sunday, condemned the murder and vowed that justice would be served. “Lawlessness and violence cannot be part of our culture. We will get them, and their collaborators, and ensure such an incident never recurs,” he said.
The murder has raised serious security concerns, especially given that Were had reportedly changed cars for his safety before the fatal shooting. Investigators are keen to establish how the killers tracked his movements and knew about the change.
