DCI: We’ve narrowed down to potential suspects in Kasipul MP Charles Were’s murder
The DCI revealed that the breakthrough came after an extensive review and reconstruction of the MP’s final movements, from Parliament to the location where he was fatally shot.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced that detectives have narrowed down potential suspects in the brutal killing of Kasipul MP Charles Ongóndo Were.
In a statement released on Friday, the DCI revealed that the breakthrough came after an extensive review and reconstruction of the MP’s final movements, from Parliament to the location where he was fatally shot.
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The DCI emphasised that all avenues are being pursued to uncover the motive and identify the perpetrators.
“This detailed analysis has yielded significant leads, enabling investigators to narrow down to potential suspects. While the motive for this heinous act remains under investigation, preliminary investigations suggest that this was a targeted and premeditated act. The DCI is pursuing all angles to uncover the circumstances surrounding this incident,” the statement read.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the MP’s vehicle, registration number KDN 783A, had stopped at a roundabout to allow traffic to pass on Ngong Road when two men on a motorcycle approached.
The motorcycle 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, one of which struck the MP in the chest and exited through his back.
A senior detective confirmed that Were was shot four times, although a post-mortem would determine the exact number of bullets.
The gunman then fled on the waiting motorcycle, vanishing into city traffic.
In the chaotic moments that followed, Were’s driver made a swift U-turn at the roundabout and rushed him to Nairobi Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, the MP was declared dead on arrival.
His bodyguard, who had been seated directly behind him, and the driver both escaped unharmed. The bodyguard later told investigators that he was caught completely 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 crime scene officers documented bullet holes and blood stains inside the car, investigators also began reviewing footage from CCTV cameras at the roundabout and nearby shops in a bid to track the assailants.
The DCI has called for public calm and cooperation, urging Kenyans to refrain from speculation and instead assist the investigation where possible.
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