Kenyans on Wednesday evening were shocked by the tragic news of the death of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’odo Were, who was shot dead along Ngong road, Nairobi.

Early Life and Education

Were’s early life started in Karabok, Homa Bay County, where he was born and raised. He attended Karabok Primary School, sitting his Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) in 1982.

He later joined Oyugis Secondary School in 1983, completing his Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE) in 1986.

About 25 years after completing his secondary education, Were enrolled for higher education where  he studied a certificate in County Governance at Meru University between 2011 and 2012.

The legislator later joined Mount Kenya University in 2013, where he graduated with a diploma in Business Management.

He later enrolled for Bachelor of Business Management (2015–2017), and finally a Master of Science in Procurement & Supplies in 2019—all from Mt. Kenya University.

Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo shot dead by gunman in Nairobi

Work Experience

Before joining politics, Were worked in several companies including Victoria Cleaning Services Ltd (2003–2022), Metrookam Properties Ltd (2006–2022), and Benga Group Holding Ltd (2014–2022) where he served as CEO.

His political career started in 2017 when he was elected as the MP for Kasipul constituency on an Orange Democratic Movement ticket, winning a second term in 2022.

During his time in Parliament, he served on the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation.

Besides his political career, he was a businessman with interests in real estate, cleaning services, and property management.

Assassination and Death

Were’s life was tragically cut short on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, when he was shot dead near the City Mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road, Nairobi.

Police said, according to eyewitnesses, Were’s car, a white Toyota Crown, had stopped at the roundabout following a red traffic light.

A motorcycle carrying a rider and a pillion passenger was seen stopping alongside the car before the pillion passenger disembarked and fired four shots at the legislator who was on the passenger seat.

The MP was hit in the chest and hand. He was rushed to Nairobi Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Before his untimely death, Were had expressed fear of his life, stating publicly that hired goons were trailing him.

His family through their spokesperson revealed the legislator had reported the threats to the police several times but no action was taken.