Crime & Investigations

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued an update on the status of the investigations into Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were’s fatal shooting.

The DCI, in a statement issued on Friday, May 2, 2025, stated that a team of detectives from the Homicide Bureau, supported by forensic experts from the National Forensic Laboratory, was deployed to the scene immediately after the incident was reported.

The team, DCI says, meticulously examined the crime scene and collected critical evidence essential to the investigation’s progress.

“Following the Inspector General’s press statement on April 30, 2025, regarding the tragic shooting of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were, we would like to provide an update to the public on the progress of the investigation. Immediately after the incident was reported, a team of detectives from the DCI Homicide Bureau, supported by forensic experts from the National Forensic Laboratory, was deployed to the scene. The team meticulously examined the crime scene and collected critical evidence essential to the investigation’s progress,” the statement read in part.

As a result, the detectives have forensically reconstructed MP Were’s movements from Parliament to the location of the shooting.

This detailed analysis has yielded significant leads, enabling investigators to narrow down to potential suspects.

Preliminary investigations suggest that this was a targeted and premeditated act.

“While the motive for this heinous act remains under investigation, preliminary investigations suggest that this was a targeted and premeditated act. The DCI is pursuing all angles to uncover the circumstances surrounding this incident. An autopsy led by Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor is scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2025, to provide further insights into the cause of death and support the investigation,” the statement read.

“The DCI extends its heartfelt condolences to Hon. Were’s family, parliamentary colleagues, constituents, and friends during this difficult time. We urge the public to remain calm and refrain from speculation as our teams work diligently to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. We are committed to holding those responsible accountable and delivering justice to Hon. Were’s family and the nation. We appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the nearest police station or use our toll-free lines: 999, 112, or #FichuaKwaDCI (0800 722 203).”

Slain Kaspul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were had passed through a popular joint along Jakaya Kikwete Road before he met his death.

He had left Parliament at about 6 pm after a long day of activities there.

He apparently had an instinct that his life was in danger.

He abandoned his usual car and jumped into another one – a Toyota Camry that he thought would be discreet.

After having a light meal, he, his driver and bodyguard hit Valley Road headed for Langata.

They, however, did not know there were people trailing them.

On reaching at the City Mortuary roundabout, the car slowed down and stopped because of the traffic lights and jam that was being experienced then.

It was at the jam that a gunman who was a pillion passenger stepped out of a motorcycle and pulled the trigger.

Police who visited the scene said they recovered three spent cartridges.

The gunman pumped at least five bullets into Were before he jumped back on the motorcycle and sped off with his rider.

The MP’s driver and bodyguard say they froze in the drama. The driver made a U-turn after the killers had escaped and raced to the nearby Nairobi Hospital.

The MP was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Police say they are yet to establish the motive of the murder.

Police believe the murder was targeted and premeditated. Were was shot at least five times and died on the spot. He was shot in the chest as he sat in a co-driver’s seat in his car in a traffic jam near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.

His bodyguard and driver were not harmed. Gunmen who had trailed him from Parliament to the hotel while on a motorcycle struck as he waited for the traffic flow to move on Wednesday, April 30, in the evening.

National Police Service (NPS) spokesman Michael Muchiri Nyaga said they regretted to confirm the tragic and senseless shooting of Were.

“According to reports confirmed by the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, at around 7:30 pm this evening, a white Toyota Crown vehicle came to a stop at a red traffic light on Ngong Road, near the City Mortuary roundabout.”

“Eyewitnesses have indicated that a motoreycle 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,” Muchiri said.

The driver of the car and a male passenger, both unhurt, managed to rush the injured man to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, he added.

“The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and premeditated.”

“At this stage, it is too early to provide further details. Senior police commanders and detectives are at the scene, piecing together the circumstances surrounding the death,” Muchiri said.

He condemned what he called the heinous and senseless crime and will spare no effort in investigating the matter.

Homicide detectives visited the scene on Thursday as part of the probe.

They were accompanied by the driver and bodyguard, who narrated what happened.

Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja, Director DCI Mohamed Amin, Nairobi police boss George Seda and PS interior Raymond Omollo were among those at the hospital.

“As the ministry responsible for security, I want to assure everyone that our multi-agency teams are actively pursuing the criminals and are diligently following all leads to apprehend those responsible,” Omollo said.

No arrest has been made so far.