Kenyan Lawmaker Charles Were Killed in Targeted Shooting in Nairobi

Charles Were, a lawmaker from Kenya’s opposition party, was fatally shot in Nairobi in what authorities are calling a premeditated attack. The incident has sparked calls for a thorough investigation as political tensions rise in the country.

A Kenyan lawmaker was shot and killed on Wednesday evening in a brazen attack while driving through a busy street in Nairobi. Charles Were, a second-term member of Parliament, was stopped at a traffic light when he was targeted by a motorcycle-riding assassin, according to police reports. Witnesses described how a suspected gunman jumped off the motorcycle and fired shots into the passenger side of Were's vehicle before fleeing the scene on the bike's backseat.

Although the motive remains unclear, police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga confirmed that the act was “targeted and premeditated.” Following the shooting, President William Ruto urged law enforcement to carry out a comprehensive investigation and extended his condolences to Were's grieving family, emphasizing that those responsible must face justice.

The driver and another passenger in the vehicle escaped unscathed and swiftly transported Were to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Were was a member of the Orange Democratic Movement, an opposition party led by Raila Odinga, who condemned the murder and likened it to a "gangland-style execution," describing the event as "shockingly barbaric."

Kenya has generally been viewed as a stable nation in a turbulent region, but unrest has been increasing, particularly since last year’s protests against a government tax hike. Activists and human rights organizations reported numerous instances of abductions and unlawful detentions by security forces during these demonstrations. While President Ruto advocated for the tax increase as essential for addressing the nation’s substantial debt, critics assert that economic conditions have not improved for the populace.

This tragic incident has heightened concerns about political violence and the safety of public figures in Kenya, calling into question the overall climate of stability in a country that has historically managed to maintain relative peace amidst regional turmoil.