The People Daily has learned that detectives investigating the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ongondo Were are now focusing on the Office of the President. A senior official from Homa Bay, who holds a powerful position in that office, is being investigated over possible links to the killing.
This development came after police arrested a board member of the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), who is said to have a close working relationship with the senior official. Investigators say the two were in regular contact on the day Were was shot and killed in Nairobi’s Chokaa area.
Detectives believe the LBDA board member may have helped organize the hit and paid one of the suspects Sh850,000 with a promise he would not be arrested because those behind the murder had strong government connections. Police later recovered Sh615,000 from one suspect’s house.
The case has taken a dramatic turn and is raising serious questions about involvement by top state officials. Detectives say the killing could be linked to growing political tensions between Raila Odinga’s ODM party and President William Ruto’s UDA ahead of the 2027 general election.
Police have already recovered two pistols one believed to have been used to kill Were and arrested several suspects, including a police officer and a known gang member, Imoli Shighali, also known as Omar Shakur.
Shighali was captured on CCTV trailing the MP moments before the killing. He was carrying a bag believed to have contained the murder weapon.
Authorities also arrested MP Were’s driver and bodyguard, who gave conflicting statements. Investigators say both were unhurt during the attack and are trying to determine what they knew.
Detectives have recovered a long list of evidence including police uniforms, mobile phones, ammunition, and teargas canisters and say the operation was highly organized. Several other suspects are still being pursued, including a boda boda rider who may have helped the killers escape.
A Nairobi court has allowed police to hold four suspects for 30 more days while the investigation continues. They will be kept in different police stations in Nairobi.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who spoke at Were’s requiem mass at Consolata Shrine in Nairobi, said the killing has caused confusion and fear, and urged the government to act quickly.
“We want a full investigation not just around the mortuary or Parliament,” Wetang’ula said. “I’ve directed that all Parliament CCTV footage be handed over. We also need to vet those protecting MPs.”
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi described Were as a committed ODM leader, while Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga called for calm as the investigation continues.
Were’s body will be flown to Homa Bay today ahead of his burial tomorrow in Kachien Village, Kasipul Constituency.
