Over the years, Kenya has been shaken by the mysterious murders of three Members of Parliament (MPs), each in separate incidents. Despite their high-profile status and state-provided security, these leaders fell victim to shocking acts of violence that stunned the nation.
Each killing brought fresh waves of fear and speculation, leaving citizens questioning how such tragedies could happen to figures presumed safe. Below is the story of the 3 MPs who met untimely deaths:
George Muchai
Former Kabete MP, the late George Muchai, was gunned down in February 2015 in Nairobi's CBD as he was heading home around 2:30 a.m.
Muchai, his two bodyguards, and a driver, who were in a Toyota Fortuner, were murdered at the Kenyatta Avenue-Uhuru Highway roundabout.
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Reports indicate that Muchai, one bodyguard, and the driver were shot at close range and died in their seats. One of the bodyguards died as he tried to step out of the car.
According to the police, attackers stole a briefcase and pistols belonging to the bodyguards.
Seven suspects were arrested in connection to the murder. The case is still ongoing, with the defense hearing scheduled for February 3, 2025.
Melitus Mugabe Were
The late former Embakasi MP, Mellitus Mugabe Were, was shot dead in January 2008 outside his house in Woodley, Nairobi.
Were, who had just been elected MP in the December 2007 general election on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket, met his death barely a month later when he was shot outside his house as he waited for the gate to be opened.
According to the security guard who manned the gate, the deceased hooted, but before the guard could open, he heard gunshots, after which he saw Were lying next to his car.
Were was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Three suspects; James Omondi alias Castro, Wycliffe Walimbwa Simiyu alias Zimbo, and Paul Oman alias Baba, were arrested in connection with the murder and were found guilty and sentenced to death.
In his ruling, trial judge Luka Kimaru said the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the three had murdered Were.
David Kimutai Too
The late former Ainamoi MP, David Too, was shot dead in January 2008 in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Too, who was a member of the ODM party, was murdered just days after his Embakasi counterpart Melitus Were was shot and killed outside his home in Nairobi.
Too was murdered alongside a female traffic police officer, fuelling claims that his death might have been the result of a love triangle gone wrong.
Too's death elicited tension across the country as supporters of the opposition read malice into the timing, given the two controversial murders happened in the same week.
A police constable named Andrew Moche was arrested and charged with the murder. However, the accused defended himself, arguing that he acted in self-defense.
Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga, who was the trial judge at the time, found Moeche guilty of manslaughter and handed him two ten-year jail sentences to run concurrently.
According to Maraga, no evidence was presented suggesting that the accused had premeditated the murders.
Maraga, however, noted that Moeche used excessive force, stating that since no shot had been fired towards him, he should have found an alternative way of disarming the two.
"Considering the fact that the suspect followed the deceased persons to West Indies Estate and that neither of the deceased fired even one shot, I find he should have shot them in the arms or legs to disarm them and not in their heads, chests, and abdomen," Maraga ruled.
During his interview for the position of Chief Justice, Maraga was put to task to explain how he arrived at the manslaughter verdict, to which he responded that his decision was based on the facts of the case.
