ODM Condemns Rising Violence in Kasipul Ahead of By-Election
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has strongly condemned the escalating violence in Kasipul ahead of the November 27 by-election, urging immediate police intervention to prevent further bloodshed. Party chair Gladys Wanga accused rival candidates of orchestrating attacks on ODM candidate Boyd Were’s supporters and disrupting campaign events.
The violence has left two men dead and several others injured, intensifying tensions between Boyd Were and independent candidate Philip Aroko. ODM has called for calm, warning that continued chaos could undermine the integrity of the upcoming election in this volatile constituency.
ODM’s Appeal Over Kasipul Violence
In a statement released on Friday, November 7, ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga expressed deep concern over the attack that disrupted a campaign event for its candidate, Boyd Were. She claimed that goons linked to a rival candidate stormed a voter engagement meeting, destroyed property, and endangered residents.
“This is not an isolated incident. During the recent Women Empowerment Programme in Sikri, several vehicles belonging to supporters of our candidate were vandalised, and the women attending the event were harassed and injured,” she said.
ODM demanded swift arrests and prosecution of those behind the chaos, accusing security agencies of failing to act decisively despite rising tension in the area. The party also urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to guarantee a fair contest and a level playing field for all candidates.
The Homa Bay governor appealed to supporters to maintain peace and resist provocation, emphasizing that ODM remains committed to democratic ideals and peaceful campaigns.
“We appeal to all candidates and our supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and refrain from inflammatory utterances and actions that threaten peace during this campaign period and beyond. ODM remains firmly committed to peaceful campaigns and democratic ideals that respect the will of the people. We also call upon our supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and focused on our ideals of unity and democracy, even in the face of provocation,” Wanga stated.
How Did the Kasipul Violence Unfold?
The latest violence has pushed Kasipul into a state of anxiety as residents say the by-election, meant to fill a vacancy following the death of former MP Ong’ondo Were, has turned into a battlefield between ODM and independent candidate Philip Aroko.
According to preliminary reports, two men linked to Aroko’s grassroots mobilisation team were attacked on Thursday, November 6, while traveling to a campaign event in Nyandiwa, West Kamagak Ward. They were allegedly intercepted by individuals associated with Boyd Were.
Moments later, a supporter of Boyd’s team was reportedly assaulted by a mob reacting to the killings, heightening the chaos. Aroko, who recorded a statement at the Oyugis Police Station, narrated the ordeal, telling officers his convoy came under attack before reaching the campaign venue.
Videos posted by Aroko showed emotional scenes at Rachuonyo County Hospital morgue, where residents gathered to mourn one of the victims, identified as Bruno. The second victim’s identity was yet to be confirmed.
In a social media post, Aroko blamed the attack on individuals tied to Boyd, accusing his rival of perpetuating violence to intimidate voters. He drew comparisons between Boyd and his late father, whose death in Nairobi months ago remains a sore point in local politics.
Boyd dismissed Aroko’s allegations, saying his team was the one attacked, claiming the chaos started when gunshots were fired from Aroko’s group while he was meeting voters in Opondo, Central Kasipul Ward. Boyd initially avoided commenting on the deaths but later issued condolences to the families of the deceased, saying violence had no place in Kasipul’s politics.
Why Is ODM Determined to Retain the Kasipul Seat?
As reported earlier, the Kasipul by-election has turned into a major political test for the security apparatus in Homa Bay county. The stakes are unusually high with ODM determined to retain the seat it has held for years, while Aroko is banking on a grassroots rebellion against the party’s dominance.
The tension reflects deeper political shifts in Nyanza, where ODM’s once-unquestioned control has faced growing challenges.