UDA calls for unity, restraint after ODM links State to MP Charles Were’s killing

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has issued a sharp rebuke against what it terms as “irresponsible remarks and increasingly intolerant voices” coming from certain leaders within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, following accusations that the State was involved in the brutal murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were.

In a strongly worded statant released on Saturday, UDA leadership in Homa Bay County dismissed the ODM leaders’ allegations as inflammatory and called on political leaders to exercise restraint as investigations into the MP’s killing continue.

“It is on record that the ruling formation UDA leadership, both at national and county levels, have called for speedy investigations into the brutal murder of Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were,” read the statement signed by Silas Jakakimba, the Secretary of the UDA Party in Homa Bay County.

Jakakimba further urged local leaders to “prime the spirit of individual responsibility” and to foster an environment of peace, cohesion, and tolerance as investigative agencies carry out their mandate.

The statement appears to be a direct response to recent comments by several ODM leaders, led by National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, who have publicly alleged that the State had a hand in the fatal shooting of the late MP, a vocal party loyalist.

The ODM leaders also accused security agencies of turning a blind eye to political tensions in the region, noting tat the late MP Were numerus times recorded statements with police citing threats to his life yet nothing was seemingly done.

But UDA insists that political posturing at this time only serves to divide the country further and derail justice.

“We urge for maximum restraint,” Jakakimbaemphasized, reiterating that Kenya remains a multiparty democracy where all legally recognized political parties—including ODM and UDA—have the right to operate freely in any part of the country.

He called on all leaders—elected and otherwise—to shift their focus towards development, urging them to use their platforms to promote unity rather than stoke ethnic or political animosity.

A section of ODM leaders on Saturday threatened to pull out of the broad-based government arrangement should the State fail to arrest and arraign MP Were’s murderers.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Senator Moses Kajwang, National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo and Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma claimed that Were’s murder was well-planned by the government agency and executed by trained gun holders.

Speaking at Were’s home in Kasipul Constituency, Wanga said the ODM signed a working agreement with the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration to address the problems facing Kenyans but not to extra-judicial killings.

MPs Kaluma and Millie said they’re ready to pull out of the arrangements should the State delay to give a comprehensive report on the murder.

Kaluma said that the future of the broad-based government arrangement will rely on how the government with handle Were’s murder.

Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara and her Teso North counterpart Okuu Kaunya, who is a member of the burial committee, asked the National Police Service (NPS) through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to retrieve and review the CCTV cameras around the scene where the MP was killed and apprehend the murderers before his burial.

MP Were was gunned down last week under circumstances that remain unclear. His death has sent shockwaves across the political divide, with ODM claiming foul play while UDA has maintained a measured stance, insisting that due process must be allowed to take its course.

The DCI has launched a probe into the incident, with top security officials assuring the public of a thorough and impartial investigation.