The family of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were speaking at the burial ceremony held at Karabok Primary School on May 9, 2025.The family of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were and leaders have made a passionate appeal to investigative agencies to conduct thorough investigations into his brutal murder.
Speaking during his burial ceremony held at Karabok Primary School, Maggie Were, the MP’s widow, fought back tears as she appealed to the government to ensure her husband’s killers face the full force of the law.
“We will only find peace when justice is served. My husband served this community with dedication, and his life was cut short in the cruelest way. We demand answers,” she said.
Her co-wife, Ann Were, echoed the sentiments stating, “We are not just burying a husband today—we are burying a father, a leader, and a pillar of this family. The government must help us uncover the truth.”
Pascal Were, the slain MP’s son, stood firm as he vowed the family would not rest until justice is served.
“Our father did not raise cowards. We will not be intimidated. We demand justice and we will fight for it,” he declared, drawing applause from mourners.
Leaders across the political divide also called on security agencies to move swiftly and arrest the masterminds behind the killing.
Were was shot dead by a lone gunman on April 30 as his driver waited for the greenlight at the City Mortuary roundabout.
Led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, the leaders condemned Were’s murder, describing it as a political assassination.
“We condemn the murder of Hon Charles Were in the strongest terms possible. We urge the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to expedite the case and to do everything within their power to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice,” Wetang’ula said.
Opposition Chief and ODM leader Raila Odinga also demanded swift action, noting that those already arraigned in court were mere agents while the real perpetrators are still roaming free.
“While we appreciate the work done by the police so far, as the ODM Party, we want to state that the individuals arrested are just agents. We want the real architects of this heinous act arrested—they are known,” said Raila.
He said individuals tarnishing Were’s name on social media could be linked to his killing.
Migori Governor Achillo Ayacko decried the continued smear campaign against the late MP on social media, describing it as a double tragedy for his grieving family.
“It is despicable that after murdering him, they also sought to assassinate his character and humiliate his family,” Ayacko said.
