National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has urged Members of Parliament to beef up their personal security and remain vigilant over possible dangers in light of the murder of their colleague, Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
Wetangula, who spoke on Tuesday after visiting the family of the late MP, cautioned of potential dangers facing the members, saying that “most of their electorates did not like them’.
According to the Speaker, the tragic murder of Were can happen to anyone in the country, and therefore, the lawmakers should be on the lookout for security breaches and threats.
“Our friend has died in very tragic circumstances; in the hands of criminals because everybody who can pull a trigger to another is nothing but a criminal. I encourage you, members; what has happened to Were can happen to any one of you, so tighten your security, the contingent of your security, don’t fear to live, don’t live in fear but be very careful as you go around,” he advised.
“As MPs, very few people like you for strange reasons, people who want to come to Parliament don’t like people who are in Parliament. Most times you will find someone campaigning against you, but they are talking a lot of filth about the House and parliamentarians…Safety is key to everybody.”
The former Bungoma Senator went on to slam a section of online critics evoking negative memories about the late MP to tarnish his name.
Wetangula encouraged MP Were’s family to remain stolid amid the criticisms, and ignore ‘Kenyans online’ asserting that they were unbecoming and ‘heartless’.
“As a family, you have lost; don’t pay any attention to the filth and nonsense on social media. Kenyans have become very callous, heartless and people who are difficult to describe. Pay attention to your family, that now you must live together as one,” he noted.
The remarks by the Speaker come amidst mixed reactions regarding the life of the late MP, where a section of people made dark allegations against Were.
The MP was shot five times last week in Nairobi and four key suspects have since been arrested.
By Joseph Muia
