Precision Assassination: CCTV Reveals Meticulous Plan Behind MP Were’s Murder

Two assassins methodically tracked Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were for days before executing him in a well-coordinated attack near Nairobi Hospital on Wednesday evening, investigators have revealed.

According to preliminary findings from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the gunmen conducted extensive surveillance of the legislator’s movements, even tracking his recent vehicle change from his well-known car to the white Toyota Crown he was using on the day of the attack.

“The detailed analysis has yielded significant leads, enabling investigators to narrow down to potential suspects,” said DCI communications director John Marete in a statement on Friday. “Preliminary investigations suggest that this was a targeted and premeditated act.”

CCTV footage from multiple locations across the city has provided crucial evidence in piecing together the events leading to the assassination. Two suspects were captured on camera having lunch at a restaurant along Kimathi Street on Wednesday afternoon, seemingly waiting for Parliament to adjourn.

“One of the men had a small bag,” a detective close to the investigation revealed, speaking on condition of anonymity. The footage from the restaurant has been secured by police, giving investigators clear images of the suspects.

The assassins trailed Were’s vehicle from Parliament, where he had been until approximately 7:15 PM. The MP’s convoy proceeded through downtown Nairobi, making a brief stop on Wabera Street where his bodyguard disembarked to deposit Sh20,000 via M-Pesa.

At approximately 7:40 PM, as Were’s vehicle approached the Nairobi Funeral Home roundabout and slowed due to traffic congestion, one of the assassins dismounted from a high-performance motorcycle, approached the front passenger window where the MP was seated, and fired four shots at close range.

The bullets struck Were in the hand and chest before both assailants fled on the motorcycle toward the city center. Despite efforts to rush him to nearby Nairobi Hospital, the MP was pronounced dead on arrival.

Homicide detectives have recovered three spent cartridges from the scene and are conducting ballistic examinations. The investigation has expanded to include Kasipul Constituency, where Were reportedly had political adversaries.

The assassination has sparked concerns among parliamentarians about their security arrangements. “If a sitting member can be shot when he is with security, we are very worried,” said Uriri MP Mark Nyamita.

Many lawmakers have admitted they often move without their assigned security details, especially in Nairobi’s city center. One MP, speaking anonymously, said: “Even me, I don’t walk with my security in Nairobi. I’m normally alone. I only use them when going to the constituency for crowd control purposes.”

Were’s funeral has been scheduled for May 9, beginning with a requiem mass at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​