Gunmen shot dead Kenyan lawmaker Charles Were Wednesday night on a Nairobi street. Police said attackers followed his car before one jumped off a motorcycle and fired at close range. The police spokesperson called it a targeted attack. Two months ago, Were had talked about threats against his life, according to local news reports. His driver and bodyguard escaped harm but Were died at Nairobi Hospital.
The murder happened near a busy traffic circle, often patrolled by police and monitored with cameras. Top police officials visited the scene right after the shooting to start their work. President Ruto ordered a complete investigation, saying those responsible must face justice. Other lawmakers expressed anger when they gathered at the scene that night. Parliament Speaker Wetangula remembered Were as fearless and called his death devastating.
No clear reason has emerged for the killing, though the soft-spoken MP had claimed hired attackers planned to kill him because of local politics. In February, he worried about rising violence at public events in his western Kenya district. Were served his second term with the Orange Democratic Movement led by Raila Odinga, who called him a gallant son. Were had supported the recent political agreement between opposition leader Odinga and President Ruto.
The murder happened near a busy traffic circle, often patrolled by police and monitored with cameras. Top police officials visited the scene right after the shooting to start their work. President Ruto ordered a complete investigation, saying those responsible must face justice. Other lawmakers expressed anger when they gathered at the scene that night. Parliament Speaker Wetangula remembered Were as fearless and called his death devastating.
No clear reason has emerged for the killing, though the soft-spoken MP had claimed hired attackers planned to kill him because of local politics. In February, he worried about rising violence at public events in his western Kenya district. Were served his second term with the Orange Democratic Movement led by Raila Odinga, who called him a gallant son. Were had supported the recent political agreement between opposition leader Odinga and President Ruto.
