Family and constituents mark first anniversary of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were's tragic passing

One year since his assassination, the family of late MP Charles Ong'ondo Were holds a memorial. His son, current MP Boyd Were, honors his legacy in Kasipul.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 5:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

A Solemn Anniversary in Kasipul

On May 1, 2026, the family of the late Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were gathered to commemorate the first anniversary of his death. The former Kasipul Member of Parliament was shot and killed on April 30, 2025, near City Mortuary in Nairobi, in a targeted attack that shocked the nation. One year later, his widows and children held a mass and laid flowers at his final resting place, reflecting on a year of profound loss and transition for both the family and the constituency.

Boyd Were: Continuing the Legacy

Leading the tribute was Boyd Were Ong’ondo, the late MP’s son, who now serves as the Member of Parliament for Kasipul. Boyd successfully ran on an ODM ticket in the November 2025 by-election to fill the vacancy left by his father. At 27 years old, he became one of the youngest legislators in the Kenyan Parliament, defeating independent candidate Philip Aroko in a highly contested race. In his anniversary message, Boyd noted that while his father's voice and guidance are missed, the values of integrity and selfless leadership he upheld continue to inspire many.

The Tragic Circumstances of 2025

The death of Charles Ong’ondo Were remains a significant point of local history. He was serving his second term when motorcycling gunmen ambushed his vehicle along Ngong Road. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of several suspects, including his own bodyguard, who was allegedly implicated in the assassination plot. The Speaker of the National Assembly at the time, Moses Wetang’ula, described the late MP as an affable and humble leader whose death highlighted a "disheartening depreciation of the sanctity of life."