Electoral Body Warns of Disqualification as Police Heighten Patrols

HOMA BAY, KENYA – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Friday, November 7, 2025, launched an official investigation into deadly political violence that erupted in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County, leaving two people dead and several others injured. The clashes, which occurred on Thursday evening, November 6, 2025, have significantly escalated tensions ahead of the November 27 by-election and drawn sharp condemnation from national and local leaders.

The violence broke out in the Opondo area of Central Kasipul Ward during campaign rallies. Supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate, Boyd Were, and those of independent candidate Philip Aroko, were involved in the fatal confrontations. Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrance Koilem confirmed that two men, identified as Ben Ondiege and Bruno Onyango, both aged 26 and supporters of Aroko, were killed after sustaining deep cuts to the head. Nearly a dozen other people were reported injured during the skirmishes, which involved machetes and reports of gunshots.

In a strongly worded statement, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon condemned the violence as “senseless acts of hooliganism, harassment, intimidation and wanton destruction” that undermine Kenya's democratic process. Ethekon announced that the commission has dispatched an investigation team to Kasipul to establish the facts and recommend appropriate action. He issued a stark warning to all candidates and political parties, stating that any found culpable of breaching the Electoral Code of Conduct could face serious penalties, including disqualification from the by-election. “Elections are not a battle of might, but a contest of ideas,” Ethekon stated, reaffirming the commission's commitment to a peaceful electoral environment.

Conflicting Accounts and Calls for Peace

Both the ODM and independent camps have traded blame for instigating the violence. The ODM party, in a statement, claimed that a rally for its candidate, Boyd Were, was violently disrupted by attackers linked to a rival. Conversely, reports from the police suggested the confrontation began after the two campaign trails crossed paths. Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrance Koilem noted that authorities are investigating reports of a licensed firearm holder who allegedly fired shots into the air during the chaos.

In response to the escalating insecurity, the Homa Bay County security committee, led by County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi, held a crisis meeting with the candidates on Friday, November 7. Following the meeting, both Were and Aroko publicly condemned the violence and pledged to urge their supporters to remain peaceful. “Politics is not a matter of life and death,” Mwiwawi stated after the meeting. Police have significantly increased patrols in the constituency to restore order and prevent further unrest.

A History of Volatility

The Kasipul by-election was necessitated by the assassination of the former Member of Parliament, Charles Ong'ondo Were, who was shot dead in Nairobi on April 30, 2025. His death has created a volatile political vacuum in a constituency with a history of electoral-related tensions. The recent violence echoes previous disturbances, including clashes during the ODM party nominations in September 2025 and an attack on the convoy of another candidate, Sam Rateng' Otiende of the UPA party, in October 2025.

The events in Kasipul serve as a grim reminder of the potential for electoral violence in Kenya, a persistent challenge the country has faced in past election cycles. As the IEBC and security agencies work to ensure a peaceful poll on November 27, the incident places a sharp focus on the conduct of political actors and the urgent need to uphold the rule of law to safeguard Kenya's democratic stability. The outcome of the investigation and the subsequent actions taken by the IEBC will be closely watched as a test of the institution's resolve to combat political impunity.