Inside hunt for Kasipul MP Were’s killers: Forensics, CCTV trail and a chilling motorcycle hit
Police say CCTV footage from Wabera Street captured a hooded man carrying a bag monitoring the MP’s vehicle while it was parked near the M-Pesa shop.
Homicide detectives probing the killing of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were have recovered three spent cartridges from the scene of the attack at the City Mortuary roundabout along Valley Road in Nairobi.
The cartridges will be subjected to ballistic examination as investigations into the legislator’s brutal murder intensify.
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The detectives, led by Homicide Director Martin Nyuguto, visited the scene on Thursday morning to reconstruct the shooting that left the two-time ODM MP dead.
At the centre of the roundabout, where the MP’s Toyota Crown had been stuck in traffic, officers combed the area for clues, piecing together the last moments of the politician’s life.
Shot at close range
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the MP’s vehicle, registration KDN 783A, had stopped at the roundabout to allow traffic flow on Ngong Road when two men on a motorcycle approached.
The rider slightly passed the vehicle before the pillion passenger disembarked, walked back a few steps, and opened fire on the front passenger side where Were was seated.
“Eyewitnesses have indicated that a motorcycle carrying a rider and a pillion passenger stopped alongside the car. The pillion passenger approached the vehicle and fired shots at the passenger side before jumping back onto the motorcycle and speeding away,” said police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga.
The gunman is said to have fired multiple shots at close range, with one of the bullets striking the MP in the chest and exiting through his back.
A senior detective confirmed that Were was shot four times, although a post-mortem would confirm the exact number. The gunman then fled on the waiting motorcycle, vanishing into the city’s traffic.
Sped to Nairobi Hospital
In the chaotic seconds that followed the shooting, Were’s driver made a U-turn at the roundabout and sped to Nairobi Hospital.
Despite efforts to save him, the MP was declared dead on arrival. His bodyguard, who had been seated behind him, and the driver escaped unharmed.
The bodyguard later told investigators that he was caught off guard and had no time to react.
“He said he was unable to respond to the lone gunman who killed his boss at close range after he saw his pistol and was distracted by the gunshots,” one of the officers revealed.
As the crime scene team documented bullet holes and blood stains inside the car, attention also turned to CCTV cameras mounted at the roundabout and footage from shops in the area.
Earlier in the day, Were had spent time at Parliament before leaving shortly around 7 pm with his driver and bodyguard.
Their car was seen on City Hall Way before joining Wabera Street, where the MP’s bodyguard briefly stepped out to deposit Sh20,000 at an M-Pesa shop, reportedly into the MP’s phone.
Hooded man
Police say CCTV footage from Wabera Street captured a hooded man carrying a bag monitoring the MP’s vehicle while it was parked near the M-Pesa shop.
Moments later, the car left the area and joined Kenyatta Avenue before taking Ralph Bunche Road and eventually connecting to Valley Road.
Detectives believe the same man seen in the earlier footage was the one who later climbed onto a sports bike and closely followed the MP’s car.
When the vehicle stopped in traffic at around 7:40 pm, the man jumped off, went straight to the passenger side and opened fire.
Three people, the driver, the bodyguard, and the M-Pesa attendant, have already been questioned by police.
Detectives also camped at Wabera Street on Thursday, collecting more CCTV footage in a bid to track the suspect’s movements.
The motive for the killing remains unclear. However, police say early indications point to a targeted and premeditated attack.
“At this stage, it is too early to provide further detail,” said police spokesperson Muchiri.
The investigation has also been extended to Kasipul as detectives try to establish whether the killing could have been politically motivated.
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