Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga recently softened her tone following the assassination of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were.
The shocking murder of the MP, who was fatally shot under mysterious circumstances, has deeply disturbed the political landscape, prompting intense reactions from various leaders, including Wanga.
Initially, Wanga had strongly criticized President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of failing to protect the late MP. She revealed that Were had raised concerns about his safety on multiple occasions and even reported receiving death threats to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, but received no protection.
The Governor, who is also the national chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), appeared to question her party’s continued collaboration with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), suggesting that the partnership had not yielded the expected results.
Despite her earlier harsh criticism, Wanga took a more measured approach in a press release on May 6, 2025. She called for unity and restraint, urging calm as investigations into the MP’s death continue.
Wanga acknowledged President Ruto’s swift response to the tragedy, which included issuing directives to expedite the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. She also expressed her appreciation for the progress made so far, including the arrests of several suspects connected to the murder.
The Governor further called on Homa Bay residents to honor the late MP with a peaceful and dignified send-off. She asked for unity among the people as they prepare for Were’s burial on May 9, 2025, stressing the importance of a respectful and peaceful farewell for a beloved son of the soil.
As investigations unfold, authorities have already made significant strides. Four suspects, including William Imoli Shighali, Juma Ali Haikai, Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame, were arraigned in court on May 5. Police were granted an additional 30 days to detain the suspects for further questioning. Investigators have traced the route used by the motorcycle that followed the MP before the fatal shooting, providing crucial evidence for the case.
The postmortem conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor revealed that the MP succumbed to excessive bleeding after being shot five times in the chest and arms.
As the community mourns, Wanga’s call for peace reflects the delicate balance needed during such turbulent times.
By Kenyans