Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on Kenyans to remain calm as investigations into the death of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
Ong’ondo Were was on Wednesday evening shot dead in Nairobi in what has been described as a shocking and barbaric act.
Raila said the execution of the legislator in broad daylight at the heart of the capital city must be condemned with total contempt.
“As we celebrate in solidarity with workers of the world this Labour Day, we are also confronted with the sad news of the untimely death of Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were,” Raila said in a statement.
“I have spoken to and received assurances from state security agencies that a prompt and conclusive investigation in this matter of national interest is to be undertaken. Likewise, I appeal for calm as we wait for answers from the authorities.”
The former Prime Minister condoled with Were’s family and the people of Kasipul and the entire Homa Bay County for losing their son.
“May God rest the soul of Hon Charles Ong'ondo Were in eternal peace!”
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Raila condemned the killing, saying the legislator was “mercilessly and in cold blood, gunned down by an assassin.”
“We have lost a gallant son of the soil! Hon Charles Ong'ondo Were is no more; mercilessly and in cold blood, gunned down by an assassin in Nairobi this evening. Rest in Peace Sir Charles Ong'ondo Were,” he said.
The ODM leader ended his message with the Luo phrase, “Dhi gi kwe Ogai ma Milamb”, loosely translated to “Go in peace, son of the land of Milambo.”
The MP was shot dead on Wednesday evening, April 30, along Ngong Road near the City Mortuary roundabout by a gunman.
The National Police Service said the fatal shooting of Ong’ondo Were appears to have been both “targeted and predetermined,” raising alarm over the motive behind the brazen attack on a sitting legislator.
In a statement released by police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, he said reports confirmed by the Nairobi Regional Police Commander were that, at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a white Toyota Crown vehicle came to a stop at a red traffic light on Ngong Road, near the City Mortuary roundabout.
Police said, according to eyewitnesses, a motorcycle carrying a rider and a pillion passenger stopped alongside the car.
“The pillion passenger approached the vehicle and fired shots at the passenger side before jumping back onto the motorcycle and speeding away,” police said.
The driver of the car and a male passenger, both unhurt, managed to rush the injured MP to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and predetermined,” the police spokesman added.
