DCI Zeroes In on Prime Suspect in MP Charles Were’s Murder
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are making significant strides in uncovering the details behind the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament, Charles Were. The legislator was fatally shot on the evening of Wednesday, April 30, along Ngong Road, near the City Mortuary roundabout. Reports now confirm that he was struck by four bullets in what appears to be a carefully planned ambush.
According to information obtained by investigators, Were had left Parliament Buildings around 7 p.m. He was accompanied by his driver and bodyguard. The trio initially headed towards City Hall Way before proceeding to Wabera Street. At that location, a routine errand led the bodyguard to stop the vehicle and step out to visit a nearby M-Pesa shop. He deposited Ksh 20,000 on behalf of the MP.
Meanwhile, surveillance cameras along Wabera Street captured a suspicious figure. The footage shows a man in a hooded jacket, carrying a bag, closely monitoring the movement of the MP’s vehicle. The individual’s behavior raised suspicion, as he appeared to track the car’s every move.
As the group left Wabera Street around 7:30 p.m., they headed toward Kenyatta Avenue. In an effort to avoid traffic, the driver chose to divert onto Ralph Bunche Road. The vehicle was next recorded on CCTV footage driving along Argwings Kodhek Road, before eventually joining Valley Road.
Detectives reviewing the footage noted something unsettling. The same hooded man seen earlier at Wabera Street reappeared. He was still following the MP’s vehicle, this time at the busy Valley Road intersection, where the car had come to a stop in traffic.
What happened next was swift and tragic. According to police findings, the assailant jumped off a motorcycle and approached the MP’s car. Without hesitation, he fired four shots at close range. The first bullet shattered the car window, while the others struck the MP in the chest and hand. Eyewitnesses reported the shooting lasted only moments before the gunman disappeared into the traffic.
“The first shot cracked the window. The rest hit him directly,” said an officer familiar with the investigation. “It was quick. He didn’t stand a chance.”
The bodyguard acted immediately but was unable to pursue the fleeing attackers effectively. Realizing that time was critical, he and the driver rushed the wounded MP to Nairobi Hospital. Despite their efforts, Were was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
As the DCI deepens its investigation, it has come to rely on more than just CCTV footage. Officers are also piecing together testimony from eyewitnesses, including the lawmaker’s driver and bodyguard. Their accounts are proving valuable in narrowing down the identity of the main suspect.
Detectives believe the murder was premeditated. The suspect’s calculated movements and apparent familiarity with the MP’s route have fueled suspicions that the gunman had been tracking him for some time.
A source involved in the case shared, “This wasn’t random. The suspect knew where the MP would be and waited for the right moment.”
Investigators are now focusing on identifying the suspect seen in the footage. Facial recognition software is being applied to enhance the images, and the motorcycle’s registration details are being analyzed. Authorities hope this will lead them to the shooter and any accomplices involved.
The tragic killing of Charles Were has shocked the political community and the nation. Tributes have poured in from colleagues, friends, and constituents, many calling for justice and greater protection for public officials. The incident has sparked fresh concerns about the safety of elected leaders in Kenya, particularly those handling sensitive political matters.
In the meantime, DCI officers are urging the public to come forward with any information that might aid in the arrest of those responsible. They remain committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
As one investigator emphasized, “This is far from over. We are closing in.”
The nation now watches as the search for justice continues, with detectives piecing together the final moments of a public servant’s life—and the truth behind a violent crime that has left many reeling.
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DCI Zeroes In on Prime Suspect in MP Charles Were’s Murder
