NAIROBI, KENYA — President William Ruto has pledged a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the assassination of Charles Ong’ondo Were, the Member of Parliament for Kasipul.
During a public address in Migori County on Sunday, President Ruto committed to deploying state agencies to identify and apprehend the MP’s killers, emphasizing his administration’s dedication to protecting the lives of Kenyan citizens.
“Lawlessness, violence cannot be part of our culture. We have a country to protect. Stability, peace unity of the nation is a major ingredient in development and growing the economy,” Ruto asserted. “We will get them, they will not succeed, they will have nowhere to hide and we will go after their collaborators until we ensure that such an incident does not happen again in the country.”
His statement follows the fatal shooting of MP Were, which occurred at approximately 7:30 PM on Wednesday along Ngong’ Road, near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the legislator was attacked by two individuals on a motorcycle. One of the assailants dismounted and fired at close range, inflicting fatal injuries on the MP.
The attackers appeared to have specifically targeted MP Were, as his driver was unharmed during the incident.
The National Police Service (NPS) has categorized the shooting as a targeted and premeditated attack.
In related developments, two suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the murder.
Police sources confirm that the arrests were made during an operation in Nairobi’s Eastlands area on Saturday night.
The aftermath of MP Were’s death has brought to light conflicting narratives, as some Kasipul constituents have publicly shared accounts of alleged mistreatment at the hands of the deceased MP.