The funeral of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were was not just a burial; it was a cry of pain, anger, and demand for justice. The late MP, who was brutally assassinated, was laid to rest amid emotional tributes, and calls for answers from both leaders and citizens.
Speaking at the funeral Homa Bay Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma said “As leaders of Homa Bay, we will not rest until we know who killed our son.” His words echoed the frustration felt by many in a county that, as he pointed out, has witnessed too many political assassinations in silence.
Senator Moses Kajwang also addressed the nation with emotion saying “Those who have been charged are the dogs,” he said. “We want to find the owners of the dogs. We want to get who ordered the hit on Sir Charles Ong’ondo Were.”
In a deeply emotional moment, Kisumu Womna representative Rozaa Buyu reflected on Charles’s fears before his death. “If Sir Charles Ong’ondo Were opened his eyes today, he would say, ‘I told you they wanted to kill me, but you never believed me.’”
Suba Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo strongly defended the late MP against negative portrayals in the media and online. “Even if he was the crook they said he was, where is his voice and right of reply?” she asked. She also stood firm against those demanding a ‘perfect’ version of his story. “I will speak the truth about the person I knew whether you like it or not.”
Details of the assassination were revealed by Hon. Oku Kaunya in a chilling description, reliving the postmoterm repot. He said “The first bullet hit the aorta, the second hit the liver, the third the heart, the fourth both lungs, and the fifth ended up at the spine.” It was clear from this report that this was not a random act, saying it was a calculated execution.
Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo said all those who were involved in the killing of the MP must be brought to book; “In any criminal enterprise, there are three groups: the masterminds, the executors, and the conspirators. All three must be brought to justice,” he said.
Other leaders added their voices; Seme Member of Parliament James Nyikal warned that assassination and democracy cannot go hand in hand. “The two are not compatible,” he said. Hon. Esther Passaris silenced critics saying “Empty debes make the most noise,” suggesting those speaking ill of the dead had nothing of value to offer.
On his part Hon. Charles Kamuren of Baringo South reminded people of African culture, saying, “When someone has died, we do not speak badly of them.” He asked for peace and respect, even in grief.
Despite all this, the funeral was not just about mourning it was a moment of unity and awakening; leaders who don’t often agree stood together, demanding justice and a safer political space.
The late Charles Ong’ondo Were was a man who raised strong feelings loved by many, misunderstood by others. But in death, his story has become bigger than one man. It has reopened old wounds about political killings in Kenya and sparked a serious call for accountability.
The postmortem that was conducted by government Chief Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor confirmed that Ong’ondo died due to extensive internal injuries inflicted by multiple gunshot wounds.
On Friday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations confirmed that a forensic reconstruction of the MP’s final movements had been done, from the time he left parliament to the moment he was shot.
Several suspects have been arrested in connection to the late Mp’s murder. Ong’ondo Were was killed on 30th April.
