Ong’ondo Were’s body lands in Homa Bay ahead of burial on Friday
The remains of slain MP Charles Ong’ondo Were landed at Kabunde airstrip in Homa Bay County on Thursday, May 8, 2025, ahead of his burial on Friday, May 9, 2025.
A white plane carrying the members of the deceased’s family, including the late MP’s two wives and his children, touched down in Homa Bay’s Kabunde airstrip at 11:00 am, where a sizeable and expectant crowd was awaiting.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and the area MP Peter Kaluma led the delegation of leaders who received the family at the airstrip.
A sombre mood and wails from the crowd engulfed the air moments later as the casket containing the MP’s remains was transferred to a waiting car.
The MP’s final journey to his home in Kachien, Kasipul, commenced in earnest with a fleet of cars and hundreds of youths leading the procession.
Funeral expenses
The development comes after Speaker Moses Wetangula confirmed the government will cater for the MP’s burial expenses.
The National Assembly Speaker made the declaration during a visit to the late legislator’s home in Karen on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
“We will be responsible for mortuary fees, buying the coffin, transporting the body, and airlifting the family to Homa-Bay’s Kabunde Airstrip to allow you to get home in preparation for the Friday event,” he noted.
Meanwhile, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna revealed that the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were had made a wish to be buried in ODM colours.
According to Sifuna, the late MP wanted his burial to be marked by the orange colour of ODM, the party that sponsored him to Parliament for two terms.
“I am averse to attending burials wearing political colours, but you’ll forgive us since it was MP Charles Were’s wish to be buried in ODM colours,”Sifuna said on thursday, may 8, 2025.
Were was gunned down on April 30, 2025, near City Mortuary in Nairobi. He had just left Parliament and was on his way home when two armed assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on his vehicle, fatally shooting him.
