In brief
Charles Were, a Kenyan lawmaker and member of the opposition, was fatally shot by a motorcycle-riding assailant in Nairobi on Wednesday, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the targeted attack.
On Wednesday evening, Charles Were, a lawmaker serving his second term in Kenya's Parliament, was assassinated in a brazen attack on a bustling street in Nairobi. According to police reports, the assailant, who was a passenger on a motorcycle, approached Mr. Were's vehicle as it halted at a traffic light and opened fire into the passenger side of the car. The gunman then quickly escaped with the driver of the motorcycle.The motive for this targeted shooting remains unclear, although police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga indicated that authorities are still piecing together details of the case. President William Ruto responded to the incident by calling for a comprehensive investigation and expressing his heartfelt condolences to Mr. Were’s family, emphasizing that those responsible must be held accountable.Witnesses confirmed that the other occupants in the vehicle, including the driver and another passenger, were unharmed and immediately rushed Mr. Were to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.A member of the Orange Democratic Movement, Kenyas' main opposition party led by Raila Odinga, Mr. Were was re-elected to Parliament in 2022. Mr. Odinga condemned the attack in a Thursday statement, likening it to a "gangland-style execution" and describing it as "shockingly barbaric."Kenya, often viewed as a relatively stable country in a tumultuous region, has recently encountered growing unrest, particularly concerning government policies. Frustrations peaked last year following protests against a controversial tax increase, leading to widespread criticism of the government’s handling of public dissent. Despite President Ruto's promises to bolster the economy, many citizens express discontent with the current state of affairs.As the investigation continues, the Kenyan public watches closely, hoping for justice and answers in the wake of this alarming act of violence.
