The family of the late Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were has said that the legislator was a marked man and he had long been living in fear for his life.
Speaking at Lee Funeral Home on the morning of Thursday, April 1, 2025, Rangwe MP Lilian Achieng’ Gogo, who is the late MP’s sister-in-law, said Ong’ongo had received death threats before his killing and had reported them to the public and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to Gogo, the hostile political environment in Homa Bay played a big role in his death. She urged the government to act quickly and bring those responsible to justice to avoid further bloodshed in the region.
“It is not in darkness that Ong’ondo Were had his life threatened, a matter which he had already reported to the DCI. And I want to say this with my eyes on the cameras, that he perpetrator of this particular murder is known and there is a wave of violence that is creeping up in Homa Bay politics that must be tamed by law enforcement authorities,” Gogo told the media.
Adding;
“It has ended up taking the life of an MP, who is a servant of the people, and I don’t think we want to lose anybody. How I pray that this matter would be brought to book so that we know who murdered Charles.”
NPS statement
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the National Police Service (NPS) issued a statement confirming that the murder of the MP was both targeted and carefully planned. The police condemned the act, promising a thorough investigation to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the NPS, senior officers and detectives have already visited the crime scene as part of efforts to establish the exact events that led to the brutal killing of Ong’ondo.
“National Police Service condemns this heinous and senseless crime and will spare no effort in investigating the matter. The service extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, parliamentary colleagues, constituents and close associates,” the statement read in part.
They also confirmed circulating reports about how the MP was killed and appealed to any potential witnesses to come forward by either visiting the nearest police station or calling the toll-free number.
Ong’ondo’s death
According to reports, the MP was shot by two unknown assailants riding on a motorcycle. The attack happened at the junction near Nairobi Funeral Home, previously known as City Mortuary.
Witnesses say the passenger jumped off the bike and shot the MP at close range before the two sped off. He was rushed to City Hospital but died while undergoing treatment. His driver survived the incident.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, under which the MP was elected, expressed deep sorrow following the news of his death.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the party said Were had been present in Parliament for most of the day and left at 6:15 pm after taking part in the day’s proceedings.
“We have received with shock and disbelief the tragic death of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were-MP Kasipul at the hands of a gunman along Ngong Road, Nairobi. We mourn with his constituents, family, and friends. We urge the police to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure the culprits are brought to book,” the party stated.
Charles Ong’ondo’s murder came just months after he had warned of rising political tensions and violence in his constituency. In February, he revealed that political opponents had brought in outsiders to disrupt peace and intimidate his supporters.
He spoke of several incidents, including an attack at a funeral in Kalando, damage to his car, and the stabbing and abduction of one of his team members.
“My car was deflated by known goons who knifed the occupants and kidnapped one of them. He was later released at midnight and is still recovering,” the MP said in a statement on February 9, 2025.
The Kasipul region has recently become a hotspot for political violence, with several youths injured at political events.