Slain MP Charles Were’s family turns heat on Gov't over lapses in his security

The family of slain Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles On'gondo Were has shifted blame to the government following his assassination on Wednesday night in Nairobi.

Speaking on Thursday at Kachien village in Homa Bay County, the family expressed disappointment at the laxity in the late MP's security.

The family, through their spokesperson, said Were had complained several times about threats he received and reported to the police over fear for his life, yet no action was taken.

With emotions running high, the leaders who condoled with the family asked the government to speed up investigations and bring the culprits to book for justice to be served to the family.

Residents of Kasipul are left with numerous CDF projects, majorly in schools and water projects, as a towering legacy that the legislator will be remembered with in his seven years as their representative.

MP Were was fatally shot by unknown assailants at around 7.30 pm on Wednesday near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.

According to eyewitness reports, the legislator was attacked by two people riding a motorbike. One of the gunmen reportedly alighted from the motorbike and opened fire at close range, fatally wounding the MP.

The MP was rushed to Nairobi Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following his death, claims of security negligence surrounded his killing, which came two months after he warned that his life was in danger.

In February, Were claimed his life was in danger following an increase in violent incidents in his constituency, which he said were being orchestrated by parties outside Kasipul.

Addressing the press at the Oyugis Police Station then, the MP narrated how he had attended a funeral in God Nyango, and as he was leaving, the road was blocked.

He said he managed to find his way out in the company of his security detail. The MP said he attended another funeral the following day in Nyatindo.

“Immediately I arrived, before even praying, one of the notorious criminals… stated that I would not talk there. The villagers were angered. What happened in the process is [sic] with investigative agencies,” he told reporters then while addressing the press at Oyugis Police Station.

In another undated video circulating on social media, Were was heard saying people were plotting an attack against him. 

“Those brewing trouble in Kasipul are not from here. Maybe they are from Migori or Kisumu. At a meeting yesterday, there was a former MCA here and someone called Ongaki. [The former MCA] said they are waiting for a public gathering where I'll be in attendance so that they bring plainclothes police officers not from Kasipul together with youth from Kisumu to create chaos so that I am shot dead,” he says.