Violent Confrontation at Polling Station

Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament, Peter Kaluma, sustained head injuries on Thursday, November 27, 2025, after being attacked by a mob at the Agoro Sare Primary School polling station in Kasipul Constituency. The incident, which occurred during the morning voting hours of the hotly contested by-election, also saw the lawmaker's bodyguard disarmed, with his firearm stolen in the chaos. Mr. Kaluma was at the polling station in his capacity as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party's chief agent for their candidate, Boyd Were.

Videos and images from the scene showed a bleeding Mr. Kaluma being escorted away by his team for medical attention. Speaking to reporters shortly after the assault, the MP directly accused independent candidate Philip Aroko of orchestrating the violence. "I have been attacked by Aroko and his team of goons. He was the one directing them. They have taken my bodyguard's gun," Mr. Kaluma stated, as reported around midday, Thursday, East Africa Time. He urged his supporters to remain peaceful and not to retaliate, framing the attack as an attempt to intimidate voters and suppress turnout.

A By-Election Marred by Tensions

The Kasipul by-election has been characterized by high tensions and a history of violent confrontations in the weeks leading up to the vote. The parliamentary seat became vacant following the fatal shooting of the area's former legislator, Charles Ong'ondo Were, in Nairobi earlier in the year. The campaign period was reportedly so volatile that it resulted in at least two deaths and numerous injuries, prompting a significant security presence on polling day. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had previously fined both Mr. Were and Mr. Aroko KSh 1 million each after their supporters were found responsible for campaign violence.

On the day of the election, the National Police Service (NPS) had deployed officers to man roadblocks and patrol hotspots to ensure order. Despite these measures, the attack on a high-profile figure like Mr. Kaluma underscores the deep-seated political rivalries that have defined the contest. The race is primarily seen as a two-horse race between ODM's Boyd Were and independent candidate Philip Aroko, who has reportedly received backing from some United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politicians.

Broader Context of Electoral Volatility

The violence in Kasipul was not an isolated incident on a day when 22 electoral areas across Kenya held by-elections. Reports from Malava Constituency in Kakamega County indicated that another candidate, Seth Panyako of DAP-K, was arrested after his family and workers were allegedly attacked and his property destroyed. These events highlight a persistent challenge of electoral violence in Kenya, where local by-elections often become high-stakes contests involving intense national and regional political interests.

The National Police Service has confirmed it is investigating the attack on Mr. Kaluma and the theft of the firearm. As vote counting gets underway, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges that continue to plague Kenya's democratic processes. Political leaders and electoral stakeholders have been called upon to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of voters and candidates alike. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED into the recovery of the stolen firearm and any arrests made in connection with the assault.