A shocking incident has unfolded in Nairobi, Kenya, where a prominent opposition legislator, Charles Were, was fatally shot in a targeted and premeditated attack. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, when Were’s car stopped at a roundabout on a busy major road. According to police, a motorcycle taxi approached the car, and a passenger disembarked, firing at the MP. Were was accompanied by his driver and bodyguard at the time of the shooting.
President William Ruto has urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation, emphasizing that those responsible for the crime “must be held to account.” Were’s death has sent shockwaves across the country, with opposition leader Raila Odinga paying tribute to the slain legislator, describing him as a “gallant son of the soil.” Odinga, who was President Ruto’s main challenger in the 2022 general election, has been a key figure in Kenya’s political landscape.
The Orange Democratic Movement party, which Were represented, has been a significant force in Kenyan politics. Were was reelected in 2022 to represent the Kasipul constituency in western Kenya. His death comes at a time when political tensions in Kenya have eased somewhat, following a series of opposition-backed anti-government protests last year that resulted in the loss of dozens of lives. In a bid to calm the situation, President Ruto appointed members of Odinga’s party to the cabinet, and the two leaders signed a political pact in March this year.
As the investigation into Were’s death continues, Kenyans are left to ponder the implications of this targeted attack on their country’s political stability. The fact that the attack was described as “targeted and premeditated” suggests a level of sophistication and planning, which has raised concerns about the safety of politicians and the rule of law in Kenya. With the international community watching, the Kenyan government will be under pressure to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible are brought to account. For now, the people of Kenya mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant, and the country remains on high alert, awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
