Ruto declares no mercy for Kasipul MP’s killers
President William Ruto has come out with a fiery and uncompromising stance following the tragic murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ongondo Were, vowing that those responsible for the heinous act will be hunted down, cornered, and brought to justice without leniency or delay.
Speaking during an interdenominational church service held at Kadika Primary School in Suna East Constituency, Migori County, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, the president assured the nation—and especially the grieving residents of Kasipul and Homa Bay County—that his government would not allow such acts of brutality to go unanswered, nor would it permit criminals to instil fear in a country that has fought so hard to preserve peace.
“I have told everyone involved, in no uncertain terms, that the government will ensure the protection of every single citizen,” he declared.
“Just the other day, we were struck by a devastating incident when we lost our MP, Mr Ongondo Were, in a senseless act that has shaken this nation—and I want to give the people of Kasipul and Homa Bay my firm assurance: those behind this evil deed, those who had the audacity to take the life of a sitting Member of Parliament, will not get away with it.”
Ruto went on to state that the killers will not succeed in escaping justice, that they will find no safe haven within Kenya’s borders, and that both the perpetrators and anyone who may have aided or abetted them will be relentlessly pursued and brought to book.
“They will not have anywhere to hide; we will go after them, and we will go after their collaborators until we are absolutely certain that a crime of this magnitude never repeats itself in our country again,” he added.
Drawing a direct line between the MP’s murder and the broader spectre of insecurity that has plagued parts of the country, President Ruto painted a picture of a nation at a crossroads, one that must decide whether to allow crime to derail its progress or rise together as a people committed to peace and unity.
He added that while the nation is working tirelessly to uphold peace and progress, it is a disgrace that a handful of criminals—those stealing cattle and spreading fear—are dragging the country backwards, and they ought to hang their heads in shame for standing in the way of Kenya’s forward march.
“There are individuals who have chosen to sow disorder,” he said with stern emphasis, “people who steal livestock, who commit violent crimes, who spread fear and unrest—these are the forces holding our country back; these are the criminals who wish to undo the gains we’ve made as a nation, and we cannot, and shall not, allow that,” Ruto said.
Plea for speedy investigations
Earlier, Ruto had urged authorities to investigate the heinous killing of the outspoken MP, who was shot on Wednesday, March 30, 2025.
Ruto, in a statement shared via his X page on Thursday, May 1, 2025, urged the police to apprehend the persons responsible.
Ruto also sent a message of condolences to the deceased’s family and the people of Kasipul.
“May God grant the family and the people of Kasipul strength to bear with the loss of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were. We urge the police to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. Those responsible must be held to account,” Ruto said.
The president’s tribute had come after police confirmed that they were commencing an investigation into the murder.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 1, 2025, the National Police Service (NPS) noted that the MP’s murder was targeted and premeditated.
This is after senior police commanders and detectives visited the scene on Wednesday night to piece together the circumstances surrounding the MP’s brutal murder.
“National Police Service condemns this heinous and senseless crime and will spare no effort in investigating the matter. The service extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, parliamentary colleagues, constituents, and close associates,” NPS added.
