ODM leaders threaten to exit broad-based government over Kasipul MP murder

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma arrive to slain MP Ongondo Were's home in Kachien village in Kasipul constituency on May 3,2025. [James Omoro, Standard] ODM leaders have threatened to walk out of the broad-based government if the State fails to arrest and prosecute the killers of slain Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were. Were was killed by an unknown gunman who shot him severally on Nairobi city's Ngong road on Wednesday evening. His death has elicited tension in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County. But the death is now threatening the sustainability of the broad-based government signed by President William Ruto and ODM Leader Raila Odinga. On Saturday evening, a group of ODM leaders visited Were's home for a fundraiser in aid of Were's burial expenses. The leaders led by ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, the National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma have threatened to walk out of the broad-based government if the State fails to handle the matter with due diligence. Wanga said the MoU on the broad-based government between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza government was not based on assassination. Thus, the government must handle the inquest on Were's murder with utmost seriousness. She said the MoU was based on improving lives of Kenyans, not harming them. "Let it be known that we did not sign an MoU for assassination. The MoU was meant to improve the lives of Kenyans," Wanga said. Wanga expressed concern that Were had reported to police that his life was in danger but no action was taken. She challenged the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to tell Kenyans the actions he took after Were reported the threats he was facing. She said Kanja must tell Kenyans who killed Were. "I want the Inspector General of Police to tell us what he did when Were wrote to him that his life was in danger. Then, he has to tell us who killed Were," Wanga said. She said Were's death was meant to weaken her party leader Raila Odinga, the ODM party and herself as a close friend of Were. "Someone who wants to kill you first kills your bodyguard, then accesses you. This murder sends a red signal to us," Wanga said. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga (centre), Homa Bay Town constituency Peter Kaluma and a friend chat at the home of the Slain Kasipul MP Charles On'gondo Were. Relatives, MPs and friends visited the home in Karen on 02, May,2025 to condole with the family. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard] Millie said the broad-based government arrangement will not deter them from speaking the truth about Were's death. "The person who killed Were was very conversant with government systems. His methods of shooting and the manner he shot tell us a lot. They must tell us who killed him," Millie said. Kaluma said the future of their collaboration in the broad-based government will depend on how the government is going to handle Were's death. "I want to join my fellow leaders who have spoken that unraveling the people who killed Were and those who sent them will determine whether our collaboration in the broad-based government will continue or not," Kaluma said. He said the government had the capacity to arrest Were's killers and prosecute them. "The government has long hands in dealing with criminals. We want to see the long hands of the government working in unraveling Were's killers. Let us not see the short hands of the government in this matter," Kaluma said. Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang said they will not allow anybody to trivialise investigations into Were's death. "We lost a gallant leader in a very unfortunate murder. Let our investigations agencies take this matter seriously, and we will not relent to give them pressure," Kajwang' said. The National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed, Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara and Homa Bay Woman Rep Joyce Osogo called for justice. The leaders said justice must prevail for Were's family.

ODM leaders threaten to exit broad-based government over Kasipul MP murder

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ODM leaders threaten to exit broad-based government over Kasipul MP murder

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