Premium
Charles Were: Murdered MP to be buried on May 9
Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were was shot dead in Nairobi on April 30, 2025.
What you need to know:
- A delegation of MPs will conduct a site visit to Mr Were's rural home on May 3.
- ODM party will drape Mr Were's casket with party colours during the final ceremony.
Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was shot dead on Wednesday night in Nairobi, will be buried on Friday May 9.
This is according to plans finalised by a parliamentary funeral committee led by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma.
The slain legislator's final journey will begin with a requiem mass at Holy Family Basilica on Wednesday May 7, followed by the transfer of his remains to his rural home on Thursday, ahead of the burial the next day.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has committed to providing support for the funeral preparations, including improving the Karabok road leading to Were's homestead.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, on whose ticket the MP was elected to Parliament for two terms, will drape Mr Were's casket with party colours during the final ceremony, honouring his service and commitment to the party’s ideals.
A delegation of MPs will conduct a site visit to Mr Were's rural home on Saturday May 3, to coordinate with local teams.
Meanwhile, the postmortem examination is set for Monday, with Parliament having tasked Teso North MP Oku Kaunya and his Seme counterpart Dr James Nyikal with supervising the exercise.
Security arrangements will be coordinated by Mr Kaluma and Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang, with Parliament providing additional staff.
An online fundraiser has been organised with Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, and Kigumo MP Wangari Mwaniki managing contributions from parliamentary colleagues, while Governor Gladys Wanga has been tasked to liaise with other government branches.
Funeral arrangements at the deceased MP's Nairobi home is being led Dagoretti North Beatrice Elachi, Kisumu East’s Rozaah Buyu, and Dr Obara, ensuring access for mourners paying their respects in the capital.