Parliament to cover morgue fees, airlifting slain MP Were's body

Parliament will cater for morgue fees, airlifting of the body, and travel costs for the family of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has said.

Speaking at the late MP’s home in Karen on Tuesday, May 6, Wetangula noted that the gesture is Parliament’s way of giving their colleague a befitting sendoff.

 “We will be there for the family so they know that when they donated a husband and father to Parliament, he made a difference to other people’s lives,” Wetang’ula said.

Wetang’ula further condemned the killing, terming it a ‘cowardly act’ and urged swift action from the criminal justice system.

“This is an unfortunate and heinous act. It must be met with the full force of the law. No stone should be left unturned. The agencies responsible must apprehend those who did this and ensure justice is served,” he said.

He also called for systemic reforms to enhance MPs’ security, pointing out that many do not fully utilise the officers assigned to them.

“Parliament will work closely with the National Police Service to strengthen the capacity of officers assigned to protect MPs,” he said.

“What has happened to Were can happen to anyone of us. Tighten your security; for the consciousness of your safety, don’t fear to live and don’t live in fear—but be careful as you go around,” he added.

“As MPs, very few people like you, for strange reasons. Those who want to come to Parliament often don’t like those already in Parliament. They can campaign with a lot of filth, but that should not deter you from working.”

Were will be buried on Friday, May 9, in Kachien Village, Kasipul Constituency.

A requiem mass will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at Consolata Shrine in Nairobi. His body will then be flown to Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay County on Thursday for public viewing.