HOMA BAY, KENYA – A political rally for Kasipul parliamentary aspirant Boyd Were descended into chaos on Thursday, November 6, 2025, after armed goons stormed the venue in Opondo, Central Kasipul, firing gunshots and attacking supporters. The incident, which left several people injured and a trail of destruction, has intensified concerns over escalating violence in the run-up to the constituency's high-stakes by-election scheduled for November 27.

According to a statement from Mr. Were, the event began peacefully before a rival group arrived and launched an unprovoked attack on his team and supporters. "Within minutes, they stormed the venue, alighted from their vehicles, and directed unprovoked attacks toward us. Sadly, gunshots were heard... disrupting the peace that had initially prevailed," Were narrated. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers destroyed a public address system, chairs, and tents.

The violence reportedly spread to a second location in Nyalenda, where Mr. Were was scheduled to hold another meeting. Assailants arrived ahead of his team and destroyed the setup, burning two motorcycles to ashes in the process. Later that evening, a close associate of the campaign, identified as Jim, was reportedly ambushed and assaulted with a machete, sustaining a deep cut to his forehead. "This barbaric act adds to a growing pattern of political violence that threatens the peace and stability of our constituency," Were added. Several of Were's security personnel were also reported to have sustained critical injuries during the initial fracas.

A History of Violence

The attack is the latest in a series of violent events that have plagued Kasipul's political landscape. The by-election was necessitated by the assassination of the area's former Member of Parliament, Charles Ong'ondo Were—Boyd Were's father—who was shot dead in Nairobi on April 30, 2025. The late MP was himself a polarizing figure, with a legacy marred by allegations of sponsoring goons and intimidating rivals, claims he always denied. His murder exposed deep-seated political hostilities within the constituency, which has been described as a political tinderbox.

Even the party nomination process has been violent. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party primaries on September 24, 2025, were characterized by chaos, clashes between rival supporters, and the vandalization of property, including a raid on a hospital owned by a rival aspirant. Boyd Were, 27, ultimately secured the ODM ticket to contest the seat his father held. His campaign is focused on continuing his father's legacy, youth empowerment, and demanding justice for his killing.

Calls for Calm and Investigation

The Thursday attack draws a grim parallel to an incident on October 8, 2025, when the campaign convoy of another candidate, Sam Rateng' Otiende of the UPA party, was attacked shortly after he was cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). That attack left several vehicles damaged and supporters injured.

Political leaders and human rights defenders have repeatedly called for an end to the cycle of violence in Homa Bay County. Following previous incidents, the IEBC has committed to harmonizing campaign schedules to prevent clashes between candidates. However, the persistent violence suggests that youth gangs, sometimes referred to locally as 'Sangwenya', remain a destabilizing force, allegedly hired by politicians to intimidate opponents. The National Police Service has launched investigations into the latest attack, though no arrests have been publicly confirmed. Leaders are urging for restraint and peaceful campaigns to ensure the by-election can be conducted in a free and fair environment. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has in the past conducted peace-building forums in Homa Bay County, but the region remains a hotspot for political tension. The outcome of the November 27 by-election is seen by residents as a critical test of whether Kasipul can overcome its violent political past.