As the funeral of Charles Ongondo Were continued in Kachien, a dramatic moment unfolded with the sudden arrival of ODM leader Raila Odinga, bringing the entire event to a standstill.

 The proceedings were temporarily paused as leaders who were already seated rose to welcome the former Prime Minister.

Mourners stood in unison to pay their respects to the ODM party leader, who had come to honor a loyal member—one elected twice to Parliament on an ODM ticket.

Raila was accompanied by top leaders, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, who led him to the casket.

 The crowd erupted into cheers upon seeing their beloved leader.

In his characteristic fashion, Raila carried a traditional whisk, which he raised and lowered in a symbolic ritual meant to bid farewell to the departed.

He offered a short prayer before proceeding to the front row, where he comforted the grieving family, shaking their hands at length.

Dressed in an orange ODM shirt—matching the attire of most mourners—Raila’s presence amplified the symbolic party identity that the late MP cherished.

Were’s wish

Were had expressed a desire to have his funeral dominated by ODM colors, just as was done during the burial of Raila’s aide, George Oduor, weeks before his assassination.

The funeral proceedings had to be temporarily halted due to the excitement and disruption caused by Raila’s arrival.

 It took the intervention of the event’s MCs to calm the crowd and restore order so the ceremony could proceed.

Charles Ongondo Were, the Kasipul MP, was assassinated on April 30, 2025, in Nairobi. He was shot five times at close range by a gunman on a motorcycle near the City Mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road, shortly after leaving Parliament.

According to police, the attack was targeted and premeditated, with the assailant opening fire while Were’s vehicle was stopped at a traffic light.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at Nairobi Hospital. An autopsy revealed multiple internal injuries, with bullets piercing vital organs, making survival impossible.

The late MP had previously raised concerns about his safety.

 In February 2025, he claimed “hired goons” were plotting to kill him due to political tensions in Kasipul. He had reported violence and disruptions at his public events, attributing them to external forces.

Police have linked his murder to a well-financed criminal network.

Investigations into the murder

 The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested 10 suspects, including Were’s driver, Walter Owino, and his bodyguard, Allan Omondi Ogolla, both of whom gave conflicting statements.

Other suspects include William Imoli Shighali (alias Omar Shakur), a known hitman connected to the Mjahidin gang, rogue police officer Juma Ali Hikal, and others identified through CCTV and forensic evidence.

Footage showed a hooded suspect trailing