Family link politicians to Kasipul MP’s murder

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.