ODM leader Raila Odinga has shared a chilling revelation about the late Kasipul MP, Ong’ondo Were, shedding light on the fears that haunted him before his tragic death. Speaking during Were’s burial on May 9, 2025, Raila recounted a moment when the slain legislator confided in him about being followed by suspicious individuals—an encounter that has raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding his murder.
Raila’s revelation painted a picture of an MP who had been living under the shadow of imminent danger, well before his assassination. The ODM leader recalled a specific incident earlier in the year during a cultural event in Luo Nyanza, where Ong’ondo, visibly anxious and fearful, rushed to his car after the function. According to Raila, the MP informed him that he was being trailed by individuals with “bad intentions,” even hinting that he would explain further at a later time.
In his own words, Raila shared: “He actually knew what was going to happen to him because when we were celebrating the piny Luo earlier this year, we went to a function and after the function was over, Ong’ondo came and jumped into my car and told me that there are some people following me here. He just came in and squeezed himself into my car and told me that there are some people here with bad intentions. I will not tell you now, but I will tell you later on.”
This eerie confession has cast a long shadow over the circumstances leading up to Ong’ondo Were’s death. Raila emphasized that the people trailing Were were not random individuals but well-known figures whom the MP had recognized, signaling a more calculated and targeted threat.
“So these people had been trailing him for a long time, and they were people who were known. Ong’ondo knew them,” Raila added, calling attention to the fact that the assailants were not just opportunistic criminals, but likely individuals with a vested interest in harming the MP. This points to the idea that Ong’ondo’s murder was not an isolated incident but part of a larger, possibly political, scheme.
The ODM leader further condemned the ongoing investigation, asserting that the individuals arrested so far were mere “agents” hired to carry out the crime, and urged the police to look deeper and identify the true masterminds behind the murder. “Yes, they’ve already arrested quite a number, but those are only agents who’ve been hired. The authors of this crime must be brought to book. This must come to an end. Ong’ondo has been shot and killed, but his spirit will continue to live on. We know this is actually a political assassination,” Raila declared.
Raila’s statement has ignited further debate about the possibility of political motives behind the MP’s death. While the police are investigating, many are questioning whether this was a targeted attack related to Ong’ondo Were’s political affiliations, given his prominence in the ODM party and his outspoken role in his community.
The death of Ong’ondo Were has left many in the Kasipul constituency and across Kenya in mourning, with supporters vowing to continue his legacy of leadership and public service. As investigations unfold, the call for justice continues to grow, with many hoping that the truth behind this shocking murder will soon be revealed.
