Kenyans were, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, left speculating whether the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were might have been assassinated due to the looming 2027 general election rivalry or a deal gone sour.
This followed shocking revelations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) indicating that a senior and powerful government official allegedly sent money to MP Were’s bodyguard part of which was reportedly used to pay the killers.
During a court session on May 7, one of the prime suspects, William Imoli who admitted to firing the five fatal shots that claimed the lawmaker’s life told the court he was paid Kshs 850,000 in US dollars by the MP’s own bodyguard.
The bodyguard, in turn, had allegedly received the money from the unnamed government official believed to be at the center of this plot.
While the DCI continues to dig deeper to establish the motive behind the killing, Kenyans are eagerly waiting to know the identity of the powerful individual suspected of orchestrating the assassination of the ODM Party MP. The motive remains unclear, but both political rivalry and financial betrayal are being considered as possible reasons behind the heinous act.
Meanwhile, a section of Kenyans has lauded the DCI for what they term as a commendable job in handling high-profile investigations involving VIPs. However, the same Kenyans are expressing growing concern over what they see as selective justice.
They argue that when it comes to ordinary citizens particularly Gen Z protesters killed during demonstrations, or victims of rising robberies in suburbs and rural parts of the country little to no action is taken.
This has raised questions about whether justice in Kenya is only reserved for the elite, leaving the majority of citizens without recourse or protection.
