Parliament review: House in mourning after killing of MP Ong’ondo Were

A portrait of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were/FILE

It was a sad week for Parliament following the tragic death of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were after he was shot by a gunman along Ngong Road on Wednesday evening.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula officially notified the House of the loss on the same day.

“Honourable Members, you will agree with me that Ong'ondo Were was indeed an affable, humble, and non-confrontational person. The shooting leading to his tragic demise therefore highlights the disheartening depreciation of the cardinal virtue of respect for the sanctity of life and degradation of the principles upon which our land is founded,” Wetang’ula said in his notification.

Were was a member of two House committees; the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation and the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity.

Wetang’ula said he has since instructed the Inspector-General of Police to expeditiously but thoroughly investigate the incident and report the findings to the House immediately, through his office.

“I will be providing additional information and further guidance, including on funeral arrangements for our departed colleague, as the matter unfolds,” he added.

During the week, the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, chaired by Seki Lenku Ole Kanar (Kajiado), heard heartbreaking testimonies from individuals who had been promised employment in the Gulf, only to find themselves stranded.

The victims had responded to job offers under the Diaspora Jobs Programme, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the National Employment Authority (NEA).

Job seekers told senators they paid between Sh15,000 and Sh55,000 to secure non-existent jobs abroad. Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba pressed witnesses for clarity on the modes of payment, seeking to piece together how funds were collected under the guise of a government-supported programme.

Her concerns were echoed by Nominated Senator Miraj Abdullahi, who sharply questioned why any payments were demanded.

“This was a government programme. Why were Kenyans asked to pay such fees?” Orwoba posed.

Kanar announced that the committee will meet with Ministry of Labour and NEA leadership as the inquiry gathers momentum.

“This Committee will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion. We will not rest until justice is served,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly is set to consider a Motion to withdraw the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill (Senate Bill No. 38 of 2023), following a formal request by the Senate, which prompted by public concerns over the contents of the proposed law.

"I have received a letter from the Speaker of the Senate informing that the sponsor of the Bill, in the Senate, requests its withdrawal and cessation of further consideration,” Wetang’ula noted.

Senate Chief Whip Boni Khalwale withdrew the Bill, which sought to regulate the boda boda sector.

The Bill had already been approved by the Senate and sent to the National Assembly for concurrence.

Stakeholders in the boda boda sector raised pertinent issues such as the weight of the load they should carry among other issues.

The bill had new provisions for registration, operation and safety at the county level, providing for registration of boda boda riders and cross-county recognition of registration by respective boards in every county.

According to the Bill, no one would operate a boda boda unless they have completed training with an approved course which includes: safe and defensive riding techniques, traffic laws and regulations, customer care and etiquette, handling of emergencies, basic motorcycle maintenance, and security awareness.

Every owner of a boda boda was issue the rider two helmets that comply with the standards established by the Kenya Bureau of Standards and are of the prescribed colour and two reflector jackets.