Author: Our Correspondent

Kenya’s state-owned milk processor, New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC), is facing a perfect storm of challenges as management infighting compounds an already dire financial situation that threatens the company’s very existence.

Acting Managing Director Samwel Kamwindu Ichura’s leadership style has created deep divisions among top managers and board members, even as the Auditor General’s report reveals the company is drowning in debt with liabilities exceeding assets by Sh1.2 billion.

Leadership Crisis Exposes Ethnic Tensions

Multiple sources within New KCC reveal that Ichura has employed new staff members despite an already bloated workforce, with allegations that many new hires at the head office and branches are relatives or individuals from his Kikuyu community.

The acting MD is reportedly pushing for a Kalenjin to be appointed as board chairman, putting him at loggerheads with current chairman David Maina, who is also from the Kikuyu community.

Industry insiders say Ichura’s motive is to secure his confirmation as permanent MD, while Maina is said to prefer bringing in an outsider from Mount Kenya for the CEO position.

“For a long time, in what is said to be regional balancing, the CEO has been from Rift Valley and chairman from Mount Kenya on grounds they are major milk-producing regions,” said a source familiar with the company’s operations who requested anonymity.

Ethnic Targeting Allegations

According to company insiders, Ichura has been vocal about his predecessor Nixon Sigey having appointed fellow Kalenjins to top management positions.

Several Kalenjin executives are reportedly on his radar, including Stacy Too (head of corporate affairs), Bryan Samoei (manager of factory operations), a Ms. Boit (head of strategy and business), and Marusoi Burroh (manager of internal audit).

In what appears to be an effort to consolidate his position, Ichura has appointed George Waithaka to act as chief manager of sales and marketing.

Sources claim this appointment is meant to cover up financial irregularities that allegedly occurred during Ichura’s tenure in the finance department, where suppliers—primarily Kikuyu-owned supermarkets—were reportedly involved in doctored statements to “share spoils.”

Waithaka is now reportedly clashing with Hassan Guyo, the acting chief finance manager, who has raised concerns about suspicious transactions potentially involving ghost suppliers.

Financial Crisis Deepens

The management turmoil comes against a backdrop of severe financial distress.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s report revealed a staggering Sh1.5 billion loss before tax for the year ending June 2024, with the company’s liabilities surpassing assets by Sh1.2 billion.

“This is an indication of negative working capital,” Gathungu noted, adding that the company was surviving on bank loans and overdrafts, having paid Sh192 million in interest expenses alone.

The audit exposed New KCC’s Sh3.2 billion debt, mostly owed to farmers, with some payments overdue for more than 120 days.

The Auditor General warned that non-payment would further destabilize the company’s operations and disrupt supply chains.

“Failure to settle the debts as and when they fall due may attract interest, hence affects the operations of the entity if the suppliers stop supplies due to nonpayment of debts when they fall due,” she stated.

Organizational Inefficiencies

Adding to the company’s woes is an overstaffed workforce, with 171 employees beyond the approved establishment of 400 staff on fixed-term contracts.

This excess staffing directly contradicts a 2021 directive from the state corporation advisory committee.

“In the circumstances, the over-establishment may negatively impact on the realisation of the company’s goals,” the Auditor General said.

Further complicating matters, auditors could not verify the accuracy of the company’s assets register, raising concerns about potential mismanagement of valuable resources.

Presidential Promises vs. Reality

President William Ruto recently toured Mt. Kenya and emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing the dairy sector through New KCC.

He assured dairy farmers of timely payments and pledged to upgrade facilities to boost processing capacity.

However, the Auditor General has cast doubt on the company’s future, stating: “These events or conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists that cast doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.”

Adding to concerns about accountability, the Auditor General noted that New KCC management has yet to appear before the relevant parliamentary committee to respond to past audit queries.

The Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture, chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, is responsible for oversight of New KCC.

As New KCC joins the growing list of struggling state corporations for which the Cabinet has proposed mergers, dissolutions, or absorptions, the future of this once-proud institution—and the livelihoods of thousands of dairy farmers who depend on it—hangs in the balance.

KITALE — A High Court judge has ordered a contractor and former officials of Trans Nzoia County to refund Sh25 million paid for the renovation of Kenyatta Municipal Stadium in Kitale, ruling that the contract was “tainted with irregularities, illegalities and fraud.”

In a landmark judgment delivered Thursday, Justice Nixon Sifuna directed the recovery of the entire amount plus interest from contractor Robert Simiyu, who traded as Koyi Building Contractors, alongside implicated county officials.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which initiated the case, successfully argued that the stadium renovation contract was fraudulently awarded through manipulated procurement processes.

“The contracts entered between Mr. Robert Simiyu who was trading as Koyi Building Contractors and Trans Nzoia County government for renovation and building spectator sheds was tainted with irregularities, illegalities and fraud,” Justice Sifuna stated in his ruling.

Procurement Irregularities

Court documents revealed multiple procurement violations, including:

• Forged or falsified county tender committee minutes
• Contract documents not executed by the proper accounting officer
• Multiple bids submitted by the same contractor under different business names
• No proper advertisement or competitive evaluation of the tender

Joseph Muindi Tevulo, the former head of supply chain management at the county who allegedly signed the contracts, faces potential sanctions from the Attorney-General, including a possible ban from holding procurement positions in the public sector.

Budget Overrun

The investigation further established that while the county government had only approved Sh10 million for the construction of sheds in its supplementary budget for 2013/2014, Mr. Simiyu was awarded a tender worth Sh15.8 million.

The EACC argued this constituted “engaging in a project without prior planning,” a violation of section 45(2)(c) of the Anti-corruption and Economics Crimes Act.

The judgment highlights ongoing efforts to crack down on procurement fraud in county governments, with the court taking a firm stance against officials implicated in tender irregularities.

In a significant development for data protection standards in Kenya’s education sector, two schools have been sanctioned for unlawfully disclosing children’s personal information to third parties without proper parental consent.

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) ruled against Nova Pioneer, a prestigious private international school, and Friends School Kaveye Girls High School, a public secondary institution, finding both in breach of Kenya’s increasingly enforced data protection laws.

Private School Ordered to Pay Substantial Compensation

Nova Pioneer’s Athi River branch has been ordered to pay Sh500,000 in compensation after sharing a student’s sensitive personal information with other parents, a travel agency, and the United States Embassy without obtaining proper permission from the child’s parent.

The violation occurred when the school attempted to secure visas for students selected to participate in the World Scholars Debate Competition in the United States. In doing so, Nova Pioneer disclosed the child’s name, gender, passport number, date of birth, and nationality through a third-party travel agency.

“The respondent failed to provide proof of having obtained parental consent to process the minor’s personal data,” said Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait in her ruling. “Therefore, the respondent unlawfully processed the minor’s personal data as it did not demonstrate that it had a lawful basis to share the minor’s personal data with third parties.”

The parent, whose name was withheld to protect the minor’s identity, argued that the unauthorized disclosure exposed their child to potential identity fraud and caused significant emotional distress to both the child and family.

This marks the second time Nova Pioneer has faced sanctions for data protection violations. Last year, the school was fined a heftier Sh950,000 for using a minor’s image on commercial billboards without parental consent.

Public School Disciplinary Video Shared on Social Media

In a separate but equally concerning case, Friends School Kaveye Girls High School faced regulatory action after its deputy head teacher filmed a student being disciplined and later shared the video on social media platforms, where it went viral.

While the school escaped a monetary penalty, it received an enforcement notice ordering the immediate cessation of unlawful processing of children’s data.

The school claimed the recording was made solely for internal documentation to demonstrate to the principal and parent-teacher association that proper disciplinary procedures had been followed. School officials also maintained they did not intentionally publish the video online and had attempted to have it removed from social media after it spread.

ODPC investigations revealed a troubling gray area in consent practices. While the student’s guardian had technically consented to filming by signing the school’s admission rules, the school failed to notify the guardian at the time the video was being recorded—a violation of transparency principles under data protection law.

Growing Focus on Children’s Digital Privacy

The rulings highlight increasing scrutiny on how educational institutions handle sensitive information about minors in Kenya’s digital age.

Legal experts note that these cases establish important precedents for schools and other organizations that routinely collect and process children’s data.

“Personal data belonging to minors requires special protection due to their vulnerability,” emphasized Commissioner Kassait in her statement, signaling the ODPC’s commitment to enforcing stricter standards when children’s information is involved.

Data protection attorney Martha Njenga, who was not involved in either case, told this reporter that schools must now recognize the serious legal and financial consequences of casual approaches to student data.

“These rulings send a clear message that consent isn’t just a checkbox exercise,” Njenga explained. “Institutions have an affirmative duty to obtain explicit permission before sharing children’s information, regardless of how benign the purpose may seem.”

Implications for Educational Institutions

The cases expose common practices in many schools that may now require urgent review, including:

• Sharing student information with external organizations for educational trips and competitions
• Recording disciplinary actions or student activities for internal documentation
• Using blanket consent forms at admission that may not cover specific instances of data processing
• Sharing student achievements and activities with other parents or on social media

Education sector analysts suggest schools across Kenya will need to develop more robust data protection policies, provide staff training on privacy principles, and implement clearer consent mechanisms that go beyond general admission agreements.

Parents, meanwhile, are increasingly questioning what happens to their children’s personal information and how schools use these details.

As digital documentation becomes standard practice in educational settings, these landmark rulings suggest Kenya’s data protection regime is maturing—with significant implications for how institutions handle the personal information of the country’s most vulnerable citizens.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has come under sharp criticism from Kwale County residents who accuse him of interfering with the management of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

The residents have urged the former Kilifi County governor to focus on his legislative duties and stay out of port operations.

During a press conference held at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa County yesterday, community leaders expressed concern over what they described as Kingi’s attempts to block the contract renewal of current KPA Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari.

“We want the Senate Speaker to concentrate on his work at the Senate and prepare for the tough political battles ahead rather than meddling in port affairs,” said Patrick Mangale, who led the group alongside Daniel Kitsao and several Mijikenda elders.

The group claimed that Kingi, whom they initially referred to only as “a powerful politician from Kilifi County who has served as cabinet minister and county governor,” is allegedly lobbying for a former KPA managing director from his home area to replace Tayari.

“When someone from Kilifi County served as the authority’s board chairman, we, Kwale residents, rallied our support behind him despite his tenure being extended beyond the required limit by the former regime,” the residents pointed out, questioning why Kingi would now oppose Tayari’s contract extension.

Port Performance Improvements

Mangale highlighted significant achievements under the current leadership of KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto and Board Chairman Tayari, noting their collaborative approach has created a friendly business environment at the port.

“When these two took over the facility’s management, the port had recorded 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Before the end of their first year, this figure rose to 1.6 million TEUs,” Mangale stated.

The group further revealed that in less than two years under the current leadership, the port recently achieved a milestone of 2 million TEUs, a performance that resulted in bonus payments for KPA employees.

“The business has thrived despite regional and global challenges,” added Mangale, attributing this success to the shared vision between the managing director and board chairman.

The Senate Speaker has not yet responded to these allegations. The Kenya Ports Authority ranks among the country’s most strategic assets, serving as the gateway for imports and exports throughout East and Central Africa.

A 25-year-old woman was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) while attempting to smuggle cocaine to India, according to anti-narcotics authorities.

Caroline Wanjiku Mwangi was apprehended during a routine security check as she prepared to board a flight to Goa. Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit discovered suspicious packages concealed within her luggage during inspection.

Upon further examination, officers found a white powdery substance wrapped in yellow cellotape hidden inside two smaller bags within her main luggage. Field testing confirmed the substance was cocaine weighing approximately 1.3 kilograms.

“Our officers conducted a routine check that led to this significant seizure,” said a spokesperson for the Anti-Narcotics Unit. “This arrest demonstrates the vigilance of our security personnel at our international gateways.”

The suspect is currently detained at JKIA Police Station awaiting formal charges. The seized narcotics have been secured as evidence for the upcoming court proceedings.

This arrest comes amid increased efforts by Kenyan authorities to combat drug trafficking through the country’s airports and border points. Law enforcement officials continue to warn that drug trafficking carries severe legal consequences in Kenya.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about Kenya being used as a transit point for narcotics moving between Asian and African drug markets. Authorities have pledged to maintain heightened vigilance at all ports of entry.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The High Court has delivered a scathing judgment nullifying a Sh25 million tender for the renovation of Kenyatta Municipal Stadium in Trans Nzoia County, declaring the contracts “null and void ab initio” — as though they had never existed.

In a landmark decision delivered in Nairobi on Thursday, Justice Nixon Sifuna ruled that the contracts awarded to KOYI Building Contractors were irreparably tainted by “irregularities, illegalities and fraud,” ordering the contractor and former county officials to refund the entire Sh25,334,525.50 with interest.

“There was no advertising, no proper evaluation, and no record of deliberations by the tender committee,” Justice Sifuna observed in his ruling, highlighting the complete breakdown of procurement protocols.

The Culprits

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which initiated the case, targeted three key individuals:

– Joseph Muindi Tevulo, former Head of Supply Chain Management at the county
– Robert Simiyu Wambulwa, a contractor trading as KOYI Building Contractors
– The late Benjamin Ruto Timitim, then County Architect (whose case was terminated due to his death)

The court ordered the surviving defendants to jointly and severally refund the entire amount to the government, with interest at commercial rates from the date the suit was filed until payment in full.

“Textbook Case of Bid-Rigging”

Court records revealed a “deeply flawed and fraudulent” tendering process that violated multiple procurement laws. Particularly damning was Wambulwa’s submission of multiple bids under different business names — KOYI Building Contractors and Siberrais Building Contractors Limited — which the EACC labeled a “textbook case of bid-rigging.”

The contracts in question, dated September 16, 2013 and April 22, 2014, were ostensibly for stadium renovation and constructing spectator sheds. However, the court found they were never properly sanctioned by the county’s accounting officer — a fundamental legal requirement.

Budget Violation

Despite only Sh10 million being approved in the county’s supplementary budget for the 2013/2014 fiscal year, Wambulwa was awarded a contract worth Sh15.8 million — a flagrant breach of public finance regulations that the EACC argued constituted “engaging in a project without prior planning,” violating Section 45(2)(c) of the Anti-corruption and Economics Crimes Act.

Harsh Rebuke for Public Official

Justice Sifuna reserved particular criticism for Tevulo, the most senior public official among the defendants. The judge directed Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor to consider appropriate sanctions against him, which may include barring him from holding any procurement portfolio in the public sector.

Despite entering appearances and filing defenses, the defendants failed to participate in the hearings — a move the court interpreted as “wilful negligence and a lack of wisdom,” especially for a public servant like Tevulo.

Protecting Public Resources

The ruling sends a powerful message that corrupt dealings in public procurement will not be tolerated and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting public resources from what Justice Sifuna characterized as “looters operating under the guise of development.”

This case marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s fight against corruption within county governments, established following the implementation of the 2010 Constitution’s devolved governance structure.

Mandera residents and civil society groups have expressed outrage following outgoing Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif’s launch of City Max, a high-end restaurant in Nairobi’s Central Business District.

The venture has raised questions about priorities and potential misuse of public funds in a county facing significant infrastructure challenges.

According to sources within the Nairobi City County planning department, the commercial building housing Khalif’s restaurant faced potential condemnation for regulatory non-compliance.

Officials reportedly delayed issuing an occupancy certificate for an extended period, creating concerns about the establishment’s legality and safety standards.

Before entering politics, Khalif operated a bookshop. Critics now allege his attention has shifted from public service to private business ventures while essential services in Mandera deteriorate.

“Our hospitals lack basic medications, roads remain impassable, and Lafey residents continue struggling with water shortages,” said a local resident who requested anonymity.

“Meanwhile, our governor invests in luxury dining experiences outside our county.”

Compounding these concerns are allegations that Khalif has been channeling county funds to his predecessor, former Governor Ali Roba, through questionable “pending bill” payments.

While no formal investigations have commenced, watchdog organizations are urging both the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Auditor-General to examine the financial transactions associated with the restaurant.

A Nairobi activist suggested Mandera residents living in the capital should “eat for free” at City Max, implying their tax contributions may have financed the establishment.

“When mothers wait for hours in understaffed clinics without medicine, and children cross rivers to reach school, how can leaders justify investing in flashy eateries in Nairobi?” the activist questioned.

Governor Khalif’s office has not responded to requests for comment.

The controversy threatens to damage the governor’s political reputation and further erode public confidence in Mandera’s county leadership as his term comes to an end.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Two foreigners and a Kenyan will remain in custody for 14 days to allow police to conclude investigations into Sh 15 million crypto currency fraud.

Godua Imendji Jesus Pierrot, Liao Jinxiang and Judith Mbatha Nzioka are accused of defrauding a Rwandese National the said money after luring her to Kenya for online trading opportunities.

Grace Tuyishime told police that on 26th April 2025, she was induced by the second respondent (Jinxiang) to travel to Kenya where she would be introduced into the crypto currency business.

The first respondent (Pierrot) allegedly booked a flight ticket for her to travel to Kenya on 29th April 2025.

The court heard that upon her arrival at Serena hotel, Pierrot introduced her as his guest to the management.

On the same date, she met the three respondents who introduced her to the business of crypto currency trading.

According to an affidavit by Inspector Beth Kariuki, Pierrot offered Tuyishime to trade with USD 120,000 which she did not have and they agreed to meet the following day.

“That the complainant was forced to borrow money from friends and relatives in Uganda,” Inspector Kariuki said.

The investigating officer added that on 30th April 2025, they allegedly traded with USD 120,000 whereby USD 116,600 was raised by the complainant while USD 4,000 was raised by Pierrot to fit his interest.

“Upon trading, the complainant lost the whole amount and this resulted in a commotion within the hotel. The complainant opted to report the matter at Central Police Station,” the officer said.

Under OB No. 83/30/04/2025 reported by Elizabeth Njeri, a Manager at Serena hotel she received a call from the Hotel security head on 30th April informing her that there was a commotion at the belonging Tuyishime.

The court heard that the in-charge house keeper of the Hotel met Jinxiang shouting that money had been stolen which prompted the hotel security to call police officers from Central Police station.

The officers established that this was a police case but before leaving with the suspects, the hotel insisted that Pierrot and Jinxiang should first clear their bills which they had accumulated.

“That the 1st respondent had allegedly accumulated a bill of Sh 118,842 from 26th February 2025 to 30th April 2025. The 2nd respondent had accumulated a bill of Sh 82,886 from 27th April to 30th April 2025,” the investigating officer stated.

However, the two became adamant and refused to clear the hotel bills.

The court heard that the investigators need 14 days to detain the suspects as they are a flight risk and may interfere with investigations.

They also need time to have their passports verified, get mobile data from Safaricom among others.

Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego granted the police the 14 days and directed the suspects to be detained at Central Police Station.

The case will be mentioned on 19th May 2025.

NAIROBI — The Kenya National Police Deposit Taking Sacco suffered a Sh200 million loss due to the massive fraud scandal at the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Kuscco), according to a new report by South African credit rating agency GCR Ratings.

Despite this significant financial blow, the Police Sacco has maintained its A- credit rating with a stable outlook, indicating the institution’s continued “high credit quality and strong ability to meet its short-term obligations,” the agency stated.

GCR Ratings attributed the maintained rating to the Sacco’s “strong capitalisation, reliable funding and asset quality” despite the substantial loss incurred through the Kuscco fraud.

In addition to the Kuscco-related loss, the report revealed that Police Sacco customers exploited a system vulnerability to withdraw Sh140 million beyond their authorized limits. “All funds except Sh3 million have been recovered through member deposits and refunds and ICT processes have been updated and strengthened to mitigate this risk,” GCR noted in its assessment.

The Police DT Sacco currently stands as the third-largest among Kenya’s 174 deposit-taking saccos, with an impressive asset base of Sh59 billion, a loan portfolio of Sh50 billion, and member deposits totaling Sh34 billion. Its membership of 74,305 is drawn primarily from police officers and civil servants.

The organization recently faced internal challenges when eight members requested an investigation by the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations of embezzlement by sacco officials. These investigations were successfully contested by the officials, who argued that regulatory oversight falls under the jurisdiction of the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (Sasra).

Despite absorbing the Sh200 million loss, the Police DT Sacco increased its dividend payout by four percent to Sh624 million for the financial year ending December 2024, countering the government’s recommendation for saccos to freeze dividend payments to help absorb losses from the Kuscco fraud.

The Kuscco scandal has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s cooperative movement, with estimates suggesting around Sh12 billion was misappropriated from deposits collected from member saccos across the country. In response, the government has assumed control of certain Kuscco operations in an effort to recover misappropriated funds.

Industry observers note that the Kuscco fraud has highlighted significant regulatory gaps, as the umbrella body operates outside the direct supervision of Sasra, despite years of warnings about this oversight vacuum.

For Kenya’s cooperative movement, which manages trillions in savings, the ongoing fallout from the Kuscco scandal represents one of its most significant challenges in recent history, raising urgent questions about governance and oversight in the sector.

MOMBASA — The High Court has granted permission for Vivo Energy Ltd and Mombasa-based Weslyn Logistics Ltd to pursue settlement negotiations in an ongoing Sh46.9 million debt dispute.

Justice Florence Wangari endorsed an out-of-court settlement between the petroleum supplier and the logistics company, directing both parties to report any agreement reached within 21 days.

“We are optimistic we can record a settlement in 45 or 60 days,” Weslyn Logistics’ legal representative told the court during Wednesday’s proceedings.

The dispute stems from a five-year supply agreement signed in September 2020, under which Vivo Energy provided petroleum products to Weslyn Logistics. According to court documents, Weslyn accumulated a debt of Sh48 million between April and June last year for fuel supplied on 30-day credit terms.

Following the mounting debt, both companies entered a debt settlement agreement on September 11, 2024, with Weslyn Logistics acknowledging the amount owed. The agreement stipulated repayment through seven monthly installments from September 2024 to March 2025, with periodic reviews.

However, after making a single payment of Sh1.1 million in November, reducing the debt to Sh46.9 million, Weslyn Logistics allegedly failed to make further payments as scheduled.

Vivo Energy subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking summary judgment against Weslyn Logistics for the outstanding amount plus interest at commercial rates.

Weslyn’s director, Ben Mungai, has contested the summary judgment application, arguing in an affidavit that “there is a need to verify Local Purchase Orders issued against the Tax Invoices issued by Vivo Energy Limited.” Mungai maintained that document verification is all that’s required to settle the matter amicably.

While Vivo Energy’s counsel initially expressed concern that Weslyn had not presented any formal settlement offer, Justice Wangari remained committed to facilitating negotiations, stating she would provide further directions at the next hearing.

The case has been scheduled for mention on May 25, by which time the parties are expected to report on their settlement progress.

The petroleum sector in Kenya has faced several challenges in recent years, including supply chain disruptions and disputes between suppliers and distributors, highlighting the complex relationships within the country’s energy supply network.

The fatal shooting of Kasipul MP appears to have been a targeted killing, police have said.

Charles Ong’ondo Were was shot dead on Wednesday evening after his vehicle stopped at a traffic light on Ngong Road in Nairobi.

Police said bystanders witnessed the passenger of a motorcycle open fire on the MP’s car while it was stopped at the junction.

“The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and premeditated,” National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said in a statement.

“At this stage, it is too early to provide further details,” Nyaga added.

Were served as a legislator for the constituency of Kasipul, in western Kenya, under the banner of the centre-left Orange Democratic Movement, which arose out of opposition to a 2005 proposal to replace the constitution with a text that critics said placed exorbitant power in the presidency.

According to reports, Were had “openly complained his life was in danger”.

President William Ruto, allied with the centre-right United Democratic Alliance, expressed his condolences to Were’s family and the people of Kasipul.

“We urge the police to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident,” Ruto said on X.

“Those responsible must be held to account.”

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who founded the Orange Democratic Movement, said Kenya had lost a “gallant son of the soil”.

Odinga challenged the results of the 2022 election after losing to Ruto, claiming in a petition to the Supreme Court that the poll had been tainted by “premeditated unlawful and criminal subversion”.

In March, Odinga and Ruto signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in a “broad-based government”.

The National Police Service has said the fatal shooting of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were appears to have been both “targeted and predetermined,” raising alarm over the motive behind the brazen attack on a sitting legislator.

In a statement released by police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the NPS confirmed that the MP was shot dead on Wednesday evening along Ngong Road near the City Mortuary roundabout by a gunman.

Muchiri said reports confirmed by the Nairobi Regional Police Commander were that, at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a white Toyota Crown vehicle came to a stop at a red traffic light on Ngong Road, near the City Mortuary roundabout.

Police said according to eyewitnesses, a motorcycle carrying a rider and a pillion passenger stopped alongside the car.

“The pillion passenger approached the vehicle and fired shots at the passenger side before jumping back onto the motorcycle and speeding away,” police said.

The driver of the car and a male passenger, both unhurt, managed to rush the injured MP to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and predetermined,” the police spokesman added.

Muchiri said senior police commanders and detectives visited the scene and are piecing together the circumstances surrounding the death.

The NPS condemned the shooting as a “heinous and senseless crime” and assured the public that no effort will be spared in the investigations.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, parliamentary colleagues, constituents, and close associates,” Muchiri added.

The public has been urged to come forward with any information that may assist investigations. Witnesses are encouraged to report to the nearest police station, approach a law enforcement officer, or call the toll-free numbers 999, 112, or FichuakwaDCI at 0800 722 203.

Several high-ranking officials, including Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin, Nairobi police boss George Seda, and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, were seen at Nairobi Hospital on Wednesday evening following the shooting.

The legislator’s death has sparked grief among fellow leaders, with Saboti MP Caleb Amisi describing it as shocking.

“I was with my colleague just this afternoon in Parliament. We chatted, laughed, and he told me, ‘I need a conversation with you, mambo si mazuri.’ His exact words. Five hours later, he is no more,” Amisi said.

Were was first elected to Parliament in 2017 and re-elected in 2022 on an ODM ticket. He served on the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation.

He held a Bachelor of Business Management and a Diploma in Business Management from Mt Kenya University, as well as a Certificate in Computerised Accounting from Meru University. Before entering politics, he held leadership roles in the private sector.