Kenyan lawmaker Charles Were was gunned down in a targeted attack while stopped at a traffic light in Nairobi. The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation and raised fears over the rising political violence in the country.
Opposition Lawmaker Killed in Daylight Shooting in Nairobi
Opposition Lawmaker Killed in Daylight Shooting in Nairobi
The assassination of Kenyan politician Charles Were has raised concerns over political violence and instability in the country.
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through Kenyan politics, lawmaker Charles Were was assassinated in broad daylight on a busy street in Nairobi on Wednesday. The attack, described by police as “targeted and premeditated,” occurred as Mr. Were, a member of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, was stopped at a traffic signal. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailant, who was on the back of a motorcycle, abandoned the vehicle, fired shots into the passenger side of Mr. Were’s car, and then hastily escaped with the driver.
The motives behind this brutal act remain unclear as police were tight-lipped about details following the incident. Muchiri Nyaga, a police spokesperson, urged the public for patience while investigations unfolded. In the wake of the shooting, President William Ruto expressed his condolences and emphasized the necessity of an exhaustive investigation into the assassination, stating, “Those responsible must be held to account.”
Despite the harassment, his companions in the vehicle were unharmed and rushed Mr. Were to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Mr. Were was serving his second term in Parliament, having been re-elected in 2022, and was considered a strong voice within the opposition.
Raila Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement and Mr. Ruto’s main political rival, condemned the attack, describing it as akin to “a gangland-style execution” that is “shockingly barbaric.” Such incidents have drawn attention to an increasing sense of frustration among the populace, particularly following last year’s protests triggered by a contentious tax increase that saw many citizens expressing discontent with the government's financial policies.
Kenya, typically seen as a bastion of stability in East Africa, has witnessed a rise in political tensions and violence over the years. Critics of President Ruto argue that his promises of economic improvement have yet to materialize, leaving many Kenyans dissatisfied and vulnerable to desperation. As investigations into this heinous crime continue, the nation grapples with the implications for its political landscape and public safety.
As the fallout from Mr. Were's assassination unfolds, the need for political accountability and stability in Kenya becomes ever more pressing.
