Caleb Amisi Criticises Leaders for Turning MP Were's Funeral into Succession Race: "It's Not Fair"

• ODM leader Raila Odinga and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma vowed that Ong'ondo Were’s family, particularly his son, would continue his legacy following his tragic assassination
• Boyd Were, the slain MP’s son, expressed readiness to step into his father’s role during a funeral procession, sparking discussions on leadership succession
• Saboti MP Caleb Amisi called out the politicisation of Were’s funeral, stating that mourners were to focus on honouring the late MP instead of immediately discussing succession

Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Kasipul Member of Parliament Ong'ondo Were was tragically assassinated by gunmen, leaving behind seven children.

Following his death, several leaders, including ODM leader Raila Odinga, pledged that Were’s family would continue his legacy for the remainder of his term.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma echoed these sentiments, assuring that Were's son would carry on his father’s leadership.

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Boyd Were accepts endorsement to be Next Kasipul MP after dad Ong'ondo's death

However, Were’s funeral became a focal point for succession politics, with discussions around his son, Boyd Were's ability to influence and lead flooding social media.

During the funeral procession, Boyd addressed a charged crowd, signaling his readiness to take up his father's mantle.

Caleb Amisi calls out leaders fronting Boyd for MP seat

In contrast, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi expressed disappointment over the politicisation of the funeral, urging mourners to focus on honouring the late MP rather than engaging in succession talks.

"It is not fair for people to attend the funeral of a slain leader, and instead of mourning and demanding answers to his untimely death, they are declaring and suggesting who to replace him," Amisi said.

"Come mourn first, then later discuss his job and other matters. You would never hear a daughter asking such questions at her father’s funeral, but our sons are always quick to act. Don’t these young men love us like their fathers did?"

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Is Boyd Were ready to serve as MP?

During his father’s burial, Boyd expressed gratitude to the people of Kasipul for their unwavering support since 2013.

He thanked them for standing by his father all these years and for coming to mourn him. Boyd assured the crowd that his family would not be intimidated, emphasising that his father, a fearless man, had not raised a coward.

He confidently declared that his family would remain steadfast in the face of adversity.

What killed Ong'ondo Were?

Ong'ondo Were was assassinated by suspected gunmen who trailed him from the Parliament area on Wednesday, April 30, to Ngong Road near City Mortuary, where he was gunned down.

According to the autopsy report, Were was shot five times, with three bullets lodged in his body. The bullets pierced vital organs, causing severe internal bleeding, which led to his death.

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Raila discloses Ong'ondo Were jumped into his car to escape people trailing him: "squeezed himself"

Several individuals, including a politician, have been arrested in connection with the gruesome murder.

Among those arrested was William Imoli, who disclosed to investigators that he was paid KSh 80,000 by Were's bodyguard to transport unknown individuals to the crime scene prior to the incident.

Other suspects also revealed receiving KSh 850,000 in dollars as a down payment, with the promise of full payment after the killing.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke