Boyd Ong’ondo Were: Full Profile, Education, Family and Political Career

Updated 25 October 2026

Boyd Were Ong’ondo is the Member of Parliament for Kasipul Constituency in Homa Bay County. He won the seat for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the by-election of 27 November 2025, seven months after his father, the sitting MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, was killed. He was 27 when he was elected. This profile covers his background, education, career before politics, the by-election and what his role as an MP involves. It draws on his National Assembly profile, the Kenya Gazette, National Assembly records and reporting by KBC, Kenyans.co.ke, Tuko and The Standard.

Boyd Were at a Glance

Family Background

Boyd is the son of Charles Ong’ondo Were, who represented Kasipul in the National Assembly. The elder Were was shot dead on 30 April 2025, a killing that shocked the region and left the seat vacant. Tuko reported that Boyd grew up in a politically active household and watched his father’s work in the constituency closely.

After the killing, several ODM leaders, among them Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and Kasipul ODM branch chairman Evans Ndege, said publicly that they wanted the seat to stay within the late MP’s family. Boyd later became the party’s candidate.

Education

His National Assembly profile lists this education history:

Speaking to Tuko in August 2025, he said he was studying for a Master of Commerce in Finance and Investment at KCA University. Readers interested in his first university can see our guide to the Co-operative University of Kenya admission letter.

Career Before Politics

Before running for office, Boyd worked at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). His parliamentary profile lists him as an officer in investigation and enforcement from 2021 to 2025. Tuko described his work there as involving taxation and policy implementation, and his campaign presented that finance and tax experience as a strength for oversight work in Parliament. If you are interested in the same employer, our guide to the KRA recruitment portal explains how KRA hires.

The Kasipul By-Election

By August 2025 Boyd had declared his bid, joining aspirants including Philip Aroko, Newton Ogada and Robert Ajwang’, known as Money Bior. Ten candidates were on the ballot when Kasipul voted on 27 November 2025, alongside by-elections in Magarini, Banissa, Malava, Mbeere North and Ugunja.

KBC reported that 31,323 of the constituency’s 67,513 registered voters turned out, a turnout of about 40.4%. The IEBC returning officer announced the result at the Agoro Sare High School tallying centre the next morning.

Observers told KBC that there were attempts to disrupt voting in parts of the constituency but that security officers contained them, and they judged the poll free and fair. The IEBC gazetted Boyd as the elected member in Gazette Notice No. 17611 of 1 December 2025.

Swearing-In

Boyd took the oath of office on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, before Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, together with the five other members elected in the November by-elections. The Standard reported that he was escorted into the chamber by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and that ODM members lined up to shake his hand. The Speaker also directed the Clerk to run an induction programme for the new members on 8 and 9 December 2025.

What His Role Involves

As an MP, Boyd represents Kasipul in the National Assembly, votes on bills and the national budget, and takes part in oversight of government spending. He also works with the constituency’s National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) committee, which funds local projects such as school classrooms and bursaries. MPs are paid according to rates set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, which we cover in our guide to MP salaries in Kenya. He will face voters again at the next general election, due in August 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the MP for Kasipul?

Boyd Were Ong’ondo of ODM. He won the 27 November 2025 by-election and was sworn in on 2 December 2025.

How old is Boyd Were?

Tuko reported his date of birth as 22 April 1998. He was 27 when he was elected.

Who was Boyd Were’s father?

Charles Ong’ondo Were, the Kasipul MP who was shot dead on 30 April 2025.

What did Boyd Were study?

A Bachelor of Science in Finance at the Co-operative University of Kenya, completed in 2020.

Where did Boyd Were work before politics?

At the Kenya Revenue Authority, as an investigation and enforcement officer, from 2021 to 2025.

How many votes did Boyd Were get?

16,819 votes, against 8,476 for independent candidate Philip Aroko, who came second.

Sources: Parliament of Kenya, member profile of Hon. Ong’ondo, Boyd Were, and National Assembly Votes and Proceedings for 2 December 2025; Kenya Gazette Notice No. 17611 of 1 December 2025; KBC (28 November 2025); Kenyans.co.ke (2 December 2025); The Standard via TNX Africa (3 December 2025); Tuko (4 August 2025).