'They want me dead’: MP Were was killed weeks after grim warning

The late Kaspul MP Ong'ondo Were

Videos have emerged showing the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were alleging that some individuals were plotting to end his life.

In one of the clips, recorded two months ago during a public event in his constituency, the soft-spoken legislator claimed that people had been actively seeking opportunities to kill him.

Were was gunned down in Nairobi on April 30 by unknown assailants riding on a motorcycle near the City Mortuary roundabout at around 7:30 p.m.

In what now appears to be a chilling premonition, the MP had appealed to security agencies to protect him, stating that he was being trailed.

Speaking to the press at the time, he expressed concern over growing violence and unrest in Kasipul, which he attributed to external forces. He claimed non-residents were disrupting public events in the area.

One of the most alarming incidents he highlighted took place the previous week in Nyatindo East Kamagak Ward, where suspected goons disrupted a funeral ceremony he had attended.

Ong’ondo Were pointed out the failure of the top county security official to comment on these attacks.

“In the two incidents, the security committee did not make any comment,” he said at the time.

He recounted a disturbing experience just days before, when he attended a funeral in God Nyango and found the road blocked afterwards, making it impossible for him to pass.

“After the funeral, the road was blocked and I could not pass, but luckily I had my security,” the late MP said then.

The situation escalated when he attended another funeral the following day in the same area, only to face an even more direct threat.

“One of the notorious criminals stated that I will not talk there, even before prayers. The villagers there were angered. What happened in the process is that with investigative agencies,” Ong’ondo said.

In another video shot two weeks ago, Were claimed that some people from outside the constituency were planning to assassinate him.

“When you hear I have been killed, Kasipul will not be the same again. But I know they won’t kill me because I have the Bible in my phone and another one under my pillow,” Were said.

“The people who are messing with us here are serial thieves, and we know them.”

He claimed that these individuals were planning to cause chaos at a funeral so that he could be shot dead.

“A meeting was held last night at 8 p.m. somewhere with an MCA and some people, and the plan is to bring people from Kisumu to cause a fracas at a funeral so they can shoot me,” he said during a public event.

In another video recorded during the 2024 Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kasipul, Were walked out of the ceremony, claiming there was intimidation.

“A junior officer was here in the morning, intimidating people. There is no civil servant who can do without a politician,” Were said when he addressed the crowd before leaving.