Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has called for a peaceful send off of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

MP Were will be buried on Friday, May 9, 2025 at his rural home in Kasipul after he was gunned down on April 30, 2025, at City Mortuary Roundabout along Ngong Road in Nairobi.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 6, Governor Wanga urged residents to exercise restraint during and after the MP’s burial.

“We have lost a beloved son of our soil, and mourn we must, but I call on all of us to exercise restraint as we continue to mourn,” Wanga said.

The county boss appreciated the firm directions President William Ruto made while on tour in Nyanza Region, where he assured residents that the perpetrators of the murder will be brought to book. She also lauded the investigative agencies for making headway with the case, especially after the arrest of four suspects.

Wanga’s rallying call

“To our great people of Homa Bay County, from Konyango Rabuor, Aora Chuodho, Nyandiwa, Mfangano and Ngodhe Islands and from our borders in Miriu-Nyakwere, Sondu River, Chabera and Ruga in Rachuonyo; let peace prevail as we mourn our son. I wish to call for a peaceful, dignified and befitting send off for Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were on Friday 9th May 2025. Let us unite in the burial and give our beloved son, Jakowaro, Wuon Ojaa, Ogai Ma Milambo, Sir Chalis and Hon. Ong’ondo Were, a peaceful and dignified farewell. May he rest in eternal peace.”

Autopsy revelations

An autopsy conducted on the body of the slain MP on Monday, May 5 revealed that he was shot five times, with three bullets remaining lodged in his body.

“Two of the bullets struck the MP’s left forearm. One exited but the other remained lodged deep in the same forearm,” government pathologist Johansen Oduor said after the two-hour exercise at Lee Funeral Home.

The autopsy report further revealed that two more bullets entered the left side of his chest, with one exiting on the right, but the other tore through critical organs and lodged in the spine.

“The trajectory of that bullet cut through the heart, lungs, liver and the aorta. An additional bullet entered through the upper back and was found lodged inside. The late Mheshimiwa could not survive the injuries caused by the gunshots. He died from multiple vital organ injuries caused by gunshots which were a total of five,” Dr Oduor said.