The family of slain Kasipul MP
Charles Ong’ondo Were has linked
unnamed politicians to his Wednesday night assassination.
His brothers Dalmas Otieno,
James Were and Paul Juma directed
their anger at the state for inaction,
saying the murder had been well
planned before its execution.
They argued that the assassin
knew how to operate a gun.
They said their brother had
raised complaints and recorded
statements with the police without
assistance.
Ong’ondo had complained that
his life was in danger and that there
were people who were planning to
kill him.
The MP claimed high-profile
leaders had held meetings in hotels
in Homa Bay and Kisumu counties
to eliminate him.
“The MP had a list of 10
high-profiled people who were
holding meetings to kill him. The issues were raised with the police but
nothing was done to protect him,”
James said.
He said one meeting was held in
a hotel in Kendu Bay town, Karachuonyo constituency while another one was held in a Kisumu hotel.
The agenda of the meetings was to
plan how the MP would be assassinated.
The family said the MP had reported the matter even to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations
headquarters in Nairobi, seeking
strengthening of his security.
“The government and some
known politicians are behind the
death of my brother. We know some
of these people and Were had mentioned them,” he said.
Juma expressed concerns that his
brother was taken in circles even after the government had knowledge
of the danger he was facing.
The family is demanding justice.
“The police didn’t show any
commitment to investigate and
arrest people who intimidated my
brother after he complained that his
life was in danger. We want justice
because he is now dead,” Juma said.
“My brother said it openly that
his security had been compromised.
The government should take all the
blame over the death.”
Speaking at the MP’s home in
Kachien village in Kasipul constituency, Juma also suspected that
Were’s death might have been fuelled by Homa Bay county politics,
especially in his Kasipul constituency.
“The MP wanted to vie for the
chairmanship post of ODM in
Homa Bay. This also created a lot
of rivalry with his opponents including politicians from Kasipul
constituency,” he said.
Otieno told the government to
accord the family justice.
“There is no way an innocent citizen and a leader can be killed like a
hen. We want justice,” he said.
He said Were’s death was a setback to the family and Kasipul
constituency.
He said the MP had
left widows and children who still
needed his care.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang said they are going to push
the government to bring the assassins to book.
“It is very sad and unfortunate
that the gangsters killed an honourable MP who was travelling on the
road. We want the government to
investigate this matter and apprehend the gangsters,” Kajwang’ said.
He said the incident exposed security gaps.
“Killing an MP in the capital city
is not a light crime. This incident
has taught us a lesson that there are
some security gaps which should
be sealed in this country,” Kajwang
said.
He called for calm among the
people of Kasipul.
Kasipul residents led by ODM
party chairman Evans Ndege hailed
Were as a leader who demonstrated outstanding performance in improving education in the constituency.
“Were improved infrastructure
in all schools in Kasipul and residents have not been raising funds
for construction of classrooms. He
also ensured students were given
reasonable amounts of bursary for
their education,” Ndege said.
The chairman of Were’s burial
committee Joash Aloo who is also
the Homa Bay Trade executive,
called for unity of leaders and residents to give Were a befitting send
off.
“We have lost an icon in this society. Let us join hands and ensure
his burial is successful,” Aloo said.
MP Were was alleged to have
been causing violence during funeral services in his Kasipul backyard.
A number of youths were injured
in funeral violence across the constituency.
Lake Victoria South Water Works
Development Agency Odoyo Owidi
had previously raised concern over
the violence.