Voters in Kasipul constituency began casting their ballots for a new Member of Parliament on Thursday, November 27, 2025, under a significant security presence. The by-election was necessitated by the assassination of the area's former MP, Charles Ong'ondo Were, who was fatally shot in Nairobi on April 30, 2025, in what investigators have termed a targeted killing.

Polling stations across the constituency's five wards—East Kamagak, West Kamagak, Central Kamagak, South Kamagak, and West Kasipul—opened at 6:00 a.m. EAT, with 67,513 registered voters expected to participate. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has established 142 polling stations for the exercise. Reports from the ground indicated a slow but steady voter turnout in the early hours, with the flow of voters gradually increasing through the morning.

A Campaign Marred by Violence

The lead-up to the vote was characterized by intense tension and violent clashes, primarily between the supporters of the two main contenders: Boyd Were of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and independent candidate Philip Aroko. The violence peaked on November 6, 2025, when clashes in the Opondo area of Central Kasipul Ward resulted in the deaths of two young men. This incident prompted a firm response from the IEBC's Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee. On November 19, 2025, the committee fined both Boyd Were and Philip Aroko KSh1 million each and compelled them to sign a peace charter, warning that any further violations could lead to disqualification.

The volatile environment prompted a large-scale security operation to safeguard the integrity of the poll. Homa Bay County Police Commander, Dr. Hassan Omar, confirmed on Wednesday, November 26, that over 500 police officers had been deployed. This contingent includes personnel from the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU). Similarly, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen issued a stern warning on the eve of the election, stating that the government would have a zero-tolerance approach to any attempts to disrupt the process and that security agencies were prepared to arrest anyone intending to cause chaos. The National Police Service (NPS), in a statement on November 26, reiterated its commitment to working with the IEBC to ensure a peaceful and credible election, assuring the public of adequate security.

High-Stakes Political Contest

The by-election is seen as a significant political test for the ODM party in its traditional stronghold, particularly in the absence of its late leader, Raila Odinga. The race has attracted a total of ten candidates, but is widely viewed as a two-horse race between ODM's Boyd Were, son of the slain MP, and Philip Aroko, an independent candidate who has mounted a strong challenge. ODM has accused elements within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of supporting Aroko's independent candidacy, adding another layer of national political intrigue to the local contest.

Despite the heavy security and official assurances, tensions remained palpable. On Thursday morning, a clash was reported at Agoro Sare Primary School polling station between supporters of Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and independent candidate Philip Aroko, during which Kaluma was reportedly attacked and injured. Election officials and security forces continue to monitor the situation closely across all polling stations. The exercise is scheduled to close at 5:00 p.m. EAT.