All set for autopsy on slain MP Were’s body

An autopsy is planned on the body of slain Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were this Monday at the Lee Funeral Home ahead of the burial on May 9 in Homa Bay.

Officials in the burial committee said all is set for the plans.

Were was shot and killed on April 30, 2025, along Valley Road near City Mortuary in Nairobi. Investigators want to know how he died.

Four suspects, including a serving police officer, were arrested in connection with the murder on Sunday.

The officer is believed to have pulled the trigger that killed Were.

He had yet to disclose where he hid the killer weapon. 

President William Ruto vowed to ensure that those involved in the assassination of Were would be brought to book.

Speaking in Migori County on Sunday, Ruto said state agencies will unmask the MP's killers, asserting that his government is committed to safeguarding the lives of Kenyans. 

"Lawlessness, violence cannot be part of our culture. We have a country to protect. Stability, peace unity of the nation a major ingredients in development and growing the economy.” 

“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,” he said. 

The suspects were arrested Sunday morning in a hideout in Dandora and the larger Eastlands.

 “Additionally, some of the suspects arrested are members of organised criminal gangs, such as "Mjahidin" , which has been linked to armed robberies in the Eastlands area of Nairobi,” said police spokesman Michael Muchiri. 

He said NPS investigators and the technical team are working tirelessly, leveraging their expertise, to establish the motive behind the fatal shooting and to bring all those involved to justice.

“As a service, we urge the public to remain calm and refrain from speculating, as our teams work diligently to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.” 

The team also recovered three motorcycles, including the one that was used in the escape from the scene of the murder. 

Also in custody are two cars, including one that was used as a getaway one. 

Police said the first prime suspect linked to the murder was arrested in Dandora after being trailed from the USIU area in his car. 

He later led the detectives to a hideout of his accomplice. 

Three motorcycles, including one believed to have been used in the operation to kill Were, were recovered. 

Another car was seized from and taken by the detectives handling the case. 

After he shot and killed Were near City Mortuary along Valley Road he jumped onto a waiting motorcycle and later changed to a car that was a few kilometres away and sped off towards Dandora. 

He and his accomplices were holed up in Dandora since Wednesday night. 

The car in custody was used in escaping from the scene after the shooting near City Mortuary along Valley Road, detectives said. 

The gunman had parked his car outside Parliament near Sheria House, where he got out while carrying a bag that is believed to have had the killer weapon. 

Police want to know how the killers knew the MP had changed cars for safety reasons.