As investigations into the murder of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were continue, his colleagues in Parliament and close relatives have described him as a man who stood firmly for what he believed in.

He was the type of person who would wholeheartedly love something but would equally express disdain for anyone or anything he did not believe in. According to those close to him, Were was not two-faced and was known for his straightforwardness.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo described him as a direct and honest individual who never spoke with two sides of his mouth. According to Millie, it was easy for Were to tell someone that he disliked them or to openly express his love for others with the same sincerity.

“I had known Were for some time, but in the last few years, I got to know him better. I thought I was a straightforward politician, but Were was even more so,” she said during a fundraiser at Were’s home in Kachien Village, Kasipul Constituency.

Leaders, including Governor Gladys Wanga and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, spoke emotionally about Were’s character. Kaluma struggled to control his emotions and almost halted his speech as he began weeping in front of mourners.

“I was chairing a parliamentary session when Honourable Millie Odhiambo came to inform me that Were had been shot. I was torn between continuing the session or suspending it. I eventually stopped the proceedings and went to the hospital, where I found Were dead,” Kaluma said, tears streaming down his face.

Were was a figure who inspired both admiration and animosity, depending on one’s interaction with him. Wanga described Were as a leader capable of taking firm stances. When Wanga expressed her ambition to run for governor in the 2022 General Election, Were was the first MP in Homa Bay County to pledge his support for her.

“He did not mince his words. He was an honest leader who stood firm in his decisions. He played a significant role in my gubernatorial bid,” Wanga said.

She also praised him as a man of the people; “Were received 42,000 votes, while his closest opponent had only 5,000. He was beloved by the people.”

However, some individuals, including Kasipul politician Odoyo Owidi, accused Were of perpetrating violence within the constituency. Owidi, who is also the chairman of the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency, described Were as a man whose actions were not always straightforward.

“There are many people in Kasipul who are suffering because of Were’s actions. He had a penchant for violence, and there are individuals still suffering from injuries caused by his actions. I voiced these concerns when he was alive, and I stand by them now that he is dead,” Owidi said.

Owidi also rejected claims that outsiders were responsible for Were’s death. “Were’s brother had earlier stated that his death was linked to Kasipul and ODM Homa Bay County chairmanship politics. Why blame people who are not from Kasipul and are not even members of ODM?” Owidi questioned.

He accused some leaders of pretending to have had a close relationship with Were since his death.

“There is a leader whom Were referred to as a man who applied lipstick like a woman during their competition for the ODM chairmanship. Now, that leader pretends to have been on good terms with Were. Let’s stop pretending,” Owidi said.