Boyd Were, the newly elected MP for Kasipul, delivered a heartfelt maiden speech on December 4, thanking voters for placing their trust in what he called a “young grieving orphan.”
He won the November 27 by-election following the tragic death of his father, former MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
During his address, Boyd said he arrived in Parliament not with celebration, but with the weight of responsibility shaped by “pain, promise, and duty.” He noted that the people of Kasipul had shown remarkable resilience and faith by supporting him during one of the hardest moments of his life.
He spoke of the “two fresh graves behind me”—his father’s and the late Raila Odinga’s—symbolizing the personal and political guidance he deeply misses. He thanked God, his supporters, and ODM leadership, especially party chair Gladys Wanga, for standing with him.
Boyd made it clear that his father’s death was not a natural loss but the result of violence. Having also lost his mother earlier in life, he said his pursuit is not revenge but truth, closure, dignity, and healing for his community.
He emphasized that retaliation cannot restore life, and instead called for unity, justice, and an end to political violence.
Presenting himself as part of Kenya’s Gen Z, he said he carries the voice of a generation demanding integrity, accountability, and a country where dignity matters as much as economic growth.
Charles Ong’ondo Were was killed on April 30, 2025, in an attack along Ngong Road. Police reported that two individuals on a motorcycle confronted him, with one assailant shooting the MP before fleeing. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
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