Latest news with #Were
First Post
13-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Kenyan Opposition MP Charles Were Killed in ‘Targeted Assassination'
Kenyan Opposition MP Charles Were Killed in 'Targeted Assassination' | Firstpost Africa Kenyan Opposition MP Charles Were Killed in 'Targeted Assassination' | Firstpost Africa Kenyan MP Charles Were was shot dead in broad daylight in Nairobi, raising serious concerns about political violence and security in the country. Representing the Kasipul constituency, Were was a member of the opposition ODM party, led by Raila Odinga—now in alliance with President William Ruto. The brazen attack has shocked lawmakers and citizens alike, especially after Were had publicly voiced concerns about threats to his life. As investigations unfold, questions are mounting over political tensions, security failures, and the broader implications for Kenya's stability. Watch the full report for in-depth coverage of this high-profile assassination and its potential fallout. See More
TimesLIVE
02-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Kenya police say MP Charles Were's killing 'targeted, premeditated'
Kenya's police say the fatal shooting of lawmaker Charles Were by a gunman aboard a motorcycle in the capital Nairobi on Wednesday evening appears to have been targeted and premeditated. Were, a MP representing Kasipul constituency in Kenya's west, was shot dead at around 7.30pm (4.30pm GMT) when his vehicle was stopped at a traffic light on Ngong Road, police said in a statement released late on Wednesday. According to witnesses, the shooter was riding as a passenger on a motorcycle that stopped alongside the car, police said. "The pillion passenger approached the vehicle and fired shots at the passenger side before jumping back onto the motorcycle and speeding away," police said. "The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and premeditated."
TimesLIVE
02-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Kenyan lawmaker Charles Were shot dead in capital Nairobi: local media
A Kenyan lawmaker was shot dead on Wednesday night in the capital Nairobi by gunmen on motorcycles, local broadcaster Citizen TV reported. The news was also reported by other Kenyan outlets, including The Nation and The Standard newspapers. The lawmaker, Charles Were, who represents Kasipul constituency in Kenya's west, was shot dead at around 7.30 pm local time "by two gunmen who were trailing him with a motorbike," Citizen TV reported. One of the gunmen got off the motorbike and shot Were at close range, Citizen TV reported, adding that his driver had survived the shooting. The MP was pronounced dead at a hospital where he had been rushed for medical care. Were was a member of the opposition ODM party led by veteran politician Raila Odinga, who lost to William Ruto in the last election in 2022. Odinga, who rejected the election result, alleging irregularities, has since struck an agreement with Ruto to address issues troubling Kenya.
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Lawmaker in Kenya Is Gunned Down by Motorcycle-Riding Assailant
A Kenyan lawmaker was gunned down on a busy Nairobi street by a motorcycle-riding assassin on Wednesday evening, in what the police described as a 'targeted and premeditated' attack. The lawmaker, Charles Were, who was serving a second term in Parliament, was in a vehicle stopped at a traffic light when he was killed, the police said. Witnesses reported that a person riding on the back of a motorcycle had hopped off and shot into the passenger side of Mr. Were's car before being whisked away by the motorcycle's driver, the police said. A motive was not immediately clear. Muchiri Nyaga, a police spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesday that it was too early for the authorities to provide additional details. President William Ruto of Kenya called on the police to 'conduct a thorough investigation' and expressed his condolences to Mr. Were's family. 'Those responsible must be held to account,' he said in a statement on Thursday. The police said the driver and another passenger in the car were unharmed in the shooting and quickly drove Mr. Were to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Mr. Were was re-elected to Parliament in 2022 as a member of the Orange Democratic Movement, the opposition party led by Raila Odinga, Mr. Ruto's main rival in the previous general election. Mr. Odinga, in a statement on Thursday, compared the daytime shooting to 'a gangland-style execution' that was 'shockingly barbaric.' Kenya has a reputation as a relatively stable nation in a volatile region. Frustration with the government hit a new high last year during deadly protests against a tax increase. Dozens of people were abducted or arbitrarily detained by security forces, according to activists and human rights groups. Mr. Ruto promoted the tax increase as a necessary measure to curb the country's staggering debt. A wealthy businessman who grew up poor, Mr. Ruto campaigned on a platform of improving the economy for Kenyans. His critics say that had not happened.
San Francisco Chronicle
01-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Kenyan opposition MP is killed in 'targeted' shooting
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A Kenyan opposition legislator was shot dead in the capital Nairobi in what police have described as a 'targeted and premeditated' crime. MP Charles Were was shot on Wednesday night after his car stopped at a roundabout on a busy major road. President Willian Ruto urged police to conduct a 'through investigation' and said Thursday that those responsible 'must be held to account.' Were was in the company of his driver and bodyguard when a motorcycle taxi approached their car, and a passenger disembarked and approached their car before firing at the MP, police said in a statement. The legislator was reelected in 2022 to represent Kasipul constituency in western Kenya for the Orange Democratic Movement party. Opposition leader Raila Odinga described Were as a 'gallant son of the soil.' Political tensions in Kenya have simmed down since last year, when the country saw a series of opposition-backed anti-government protests during which dozens of people died. Ruto later appointed members of Odinga's party to the cabinet and the two leaders signed a political pact in March this year.
