Police in Homa Bay County have launched investigations into a deadly confrontation that left two people dead and several others injured during a political rally in the ongoing Kasipul parliamentary by-election campaigns. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in the Opondo area of Central Kasipul Ward, where supporters of independent candidate Phillip Aroko and ODM’s Boyd Were clashed violently.
According to County Police Commander Lawrance Koilem, the chaos erupted after Aroko and his supporters allegedly stormed Were’s campaign venue and fired shots into the air, triggering panic and violence.
Koilem revealed that as Were went to report the incident at Oyugis Police Station, his supporters retaliated against Aroko’s team, resulting in the fatal hacking of two youths aged 26, both believed to be Aroko’s supporters.
The police boss confirmed that investigations are ongoing, adding that officers are on the ground to restore calm and apprehend those responsible.
Homa Bay Governor and ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga condemned the incident, urging both the police and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take decisive action against any candidate or supporter involved in political violence.
She emphasized the need for peaceful campaigns ahead of the Kasipul by-election, scheduled for November 27, 2025.
The Kasipul parliamentary seat fell vacant following the murder of the late MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Nairobi earlier this year.
