Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were died in a targeted attack in Nairobi on April 30, 2025. Two gunmen on a motorcycle ambushed his vehicle near the City Mortuary roundabout. They fired several shots before fleeing the scene.
Before the attack, Were had raised concerns about threats to his life. He warned that Kasipul would never be the same if anything happened to him. After the shooting, emergency responders rushed him to Nairobi Hospital. Doctors, however, declared him dead on arrival.
His killing has shaken Kenya’s political scene. Leaders from both sides of the aisle mourned his death and demanded justice. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, visibly saddened, called him a “gallant son of the soil” and strongly condemned the act.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula called for an immediate investigation. He said Were’s death was not just a personal tragedy, but also a national loss. Police launched a manhunt for the attackers. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is reviewing CCTV footage and urging the public to share any helpful information. Interior PS Raymond Omollo confirmed that authorities are working to piece together the events leading to the murder.
Were first won the Kasipul seat in 2017 and retained it in 2022 under the ODM ticket. He served on the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation, using his background in business management. His death has left a deep void in Kasipul, where supporters and colleagues are mourning a dedicated leader.
