Speaker Wetangu'la orders fresh vetting of MPs’ security teams

The killing of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were has prompted Parliament to take major steps to review and tighten the security of lawmakers, with all Members of Parliament now required to submit their security details for fresh vetting.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangu'la made the announcement during the requiem mass of the late MP, held at Consolata Shrine in Nairobi, where he said the move was aimed at understanding the kind of protection MPs have and ensuring their safety going forward.

"Going forward, I encourage each one of you to submit your security details for vetting for us to get to know what kind of security you have, Kikulacho kinguoni mwako (Loose Translation: What is eating you is in your clothes; A man's enemies are in his household). We will be able to assist in doing so," Wetangu'la said on Wednesday.

The Speaker directed that the vetting process begin immediately and said it would be necessary to identify and address any gaps in the current security arrangements provided to MPs.

In addition, Wetangula instructed the Clerk of Parliament to retrieve and present all CCTV footage showing the movements and activities of the late MP within the precincts of Parliament on the day he died.

"I have instructed the Clerk of Parliament to put together all our CCTV footage in Parliament on the activities around Were from the time he arrived at the gym around 6:00 am to the time he left Parliament at 7:00 pm," he said.

Wetangula noted that this footage would be critical in helping investigators piece together the final movements of the MP and could provide more clues into what might have led to his murder.

He also urged law enforcement officers handling the investigation not to focus only on events that occurred at the City Mortuary but to widen their scope in order to uncover the full truth behind the assassination.

"In looking at the tragedy that befell our MP, we encourage the police not to narrow their investigations to matters around the City Mortuary," he stated.

Charles Were was shot dead in Nairobi on April 30, 2025, while stuck in traffic.

The gunman opened fire at close range and then escaped with the help of an accomplice who was riding a motorbike.

The killing shocked the nation and sparked concern over the security of elected leaders.

Following the attack, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched a manhunt that has so far led to the arrest of six suspects.

Investigations have revealed that the killing may have been carried out by an organised network, and detectives are still tracking down more suspects, including a police officer believed to be linked to the plot.

As part of efforts to improve safety in Nairobi, Wetangula also directed a message to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, urging him to make sure all CCTV cameras in the city are fully functional and operational at all times.

"The Nairobi governor is here, we want to see that all CCTV cameras work optimally for 24 hours to capture wicked characters around the city," said the Speaker.

He stressed that the cameras would serve not just MPs but the general public as well, by discouraging crime and assisting in investigations whenever criminal acts occur in the capital.

Wetangula said that a working CCTV system across Nairobi would help create a safer environment by keeping potential wrongdoers under constant watch and ensuring that evidence is always available for use by authorities.

He added that security systems in the city and around Parliament must be kept up to date and running efficiently to avoid similar tragedies in the future.

The Speaker said Parliament was treating the matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves, especially as the loss of a sitting MP in such a violent manner was a clear sign that security protocols needed review and improvement.

The call for MPs to undergo vetting and for enhanced surveillance measures across the capital marks the start of what could be a wide-ranging reform of personal security arrangements for lawmakers.

The response also signals a shift toward more proactive and coordinated efforts to ensure elected leaders are adequately protected.

As investigations continue into the brutal murder of the late MP, Parliament has pledged to support the authorities and take all steps necessary to prevent any similar attacks, as questions continue to emerge about how the killers managed to execute their plan in broad daylight.