Raila calls for probe into Ong'ondo Were killing as he is laid to rest

ODM leader Raila Odinga has termed the death of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were a political assassination and called for a thorough investigation to hold his killers accountable.

Speaking at the funeral service in Oyugis, Kasipul, Raila said the fatal shooting of the two-term MP on Wednesday, April 30, at the City Mortuary Roundabout along Ngong Road in Nairobi has set a bad precedent and risks ushering in an era of unhealthy political competition for the country’s democracy.

“The authors of this crime must be brought to book,” Odinga said, adding, “We cannot live in a society that tolerates this kind of impunity. This must come to an end. We must build a tolerant society where people can disagree but then shake hands in the end.”

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula eulogized the legislator as a hero and a respectful leader who served his constituents until the last hour of his life. He said Parliament is collaborating with investigative agencies to track the MP’s activities in the final hours before assailants took his life.

“We condemn the criminals who carried out this cowardly act. We, in Parliament, have done our bit by helping to track the movements, associations and all issues surrounding the MP on the fateful day,” Wetangula said.

Despite allegations of political violence leveled against MP Were, several speakers at the funeral described the ODM party loyalist as a peaceful and servant leader who enjoyed massive support from his constituents.

“If Ong’ondo has been killing people, why has he never been arrested and charged?” Odinga posed.

“A lot has been said about him when he is not there to defend himself. In the event that he wronged anyone in this constituency, on his behalf, I say sorry. May God rest his soul in peace,” said Governor Wanga.

At the same time, ODM party leaders called on other parties not to field candidates in the by-election to choose Were’s successor, even as other leaders urged the party to sponsor one of Were’s family members to complete his term.

The burial also exposed cracks within the ODM party over the broad-based government arrangement.

“My brother Sifuna, I belong to your party, ODM. If I fail, there is no way you will convince anyone that ODM can run a government in 2027,” said Treasury CS John Mbadi.

According to the National Police Service, the investigation into the shooting is at an advanced stage.

Ten suspects are already in police custody, with four directly linked to the crime scene.

On Thursday, April 9, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) positively identified a Sarsilmaz pistol used to execute the slain MP.

Also present at the funeral were Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, along with several parliamentarians.