Ruto tells police to arrest MP Were’s killers as more mourn death

President William Ruto Thursday called on police to investigate and bring to book the killers of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

He said those responsible must be held to account.

“We urge the police to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. Those responsible must be held to account,” he said in a statement.

Ruto joined a long list of those mourning the death.

Were was on Wednesday April 30 shot and killed by a gunman who was on a motorbike along Ngong Road near City Mortuary.

He had left Parliament in a salon car and was headed towards Ngong Road when the incident happened at about 7.30 pm.

The attackers shot at him at least four times before riding off. His bodyguard who was seated on the passengers’ seat did not respond to the attack.

He was rushed to the Nairobi Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He had been shot in the chest. His driver too was not harmed in the attack. He was too shocked that he did not respond in even driving past the motorcycle that had the pillion gunman and had stopped in front of the car.

Speaker of National Assembly Moses Wetangula mourned the death.

He said Were was serving his second term representing the people of Kasipul constituency having been elected to the National Assembly in 2017 and re-elected in 2022 General Elections.

“This callous and cowardly act committed under the cover of night has robbed the nation of a distinguished legislator, a fearless advocate for his constituents, and a man deeply committed to the democratic ideals and service to the people he represented.”

“As we mourn our departed dear friend and colleague, I call upon our security and investigative agencies to undertake thorough investigations to bring to book those responsible for this heinous and cowardly act,” he said.

He added the loss of Were is not just a tragedy to his family and the people of Kasipul but also a big loss to the people of Kenya.

Wetangula said the leadership of Parliament is actively engaged and will continue to monitor the progress of investigations while remaining in close contact with the bereaved family.

Police visited the scene of the shooting on Thursday morning as part of the probe into the murder.

The detectives said the murder was targeted and premeditated.

No arrest has been made so far. The MP had complained of threats to his life.