A police firearm lost during a violent by-election clash in Kasipul has been recovered, Homa Bay County authorities confirmed. The weapon was taken from a bodyguard protecting Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma amidst a chaotic confrontation at the Agoro Sare Primary School polling station on Thursday.

The recovery brings a sigh of relief to a community rattled by election-related violence, which saw the MP injured and sparked fears of escalating tensions. The incident underscores the high stakes of local by-elections and the ever-present threat of political thuggery, a reality that directly impacts the safety and security of ordinary Kenyans participating in the democratic process.

An Intelligence-Led Operation

Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilim noted that the firearm was found abandoned after an intensive search. "Because of the hot pursuit of the goons, they dropped the gun somewhere, and we were informed by our informer through intelligence," Koilim stated. He assured the public that the weapon was found intact with all its ammunition.

The firearm will now undergo forensic and ballistic analysis to determine if it was used in any criminal activity while it was missing. The recovery was part of a broader security crackdown in the region that led to significant arrests and seizures.

• Arrests Made: Police have taken 23 suspects into custody in connection with the election day violence.
• Weapons Seized: Authorities confiscated a cache of crude weapons, including pangas, machetes, knives, and metal rods from the suspects.
• Vehicles Impounded: Over a dozen vehicles and several motorcycles, believed to have been used by the youths, were also seized.

Violence at the Polls

The chaos erupted when MP Kaluma, who was serving as the chief agent for the ODM party's candidate, Boyd Were, was reportedly assaulted by a group of youths. Kaluma sustained a head injury during the melee as his bodyguard tried to protect him, at which point the firearm was snatched.

The MP alleged the attackers were associated with independent candidate Philip Aroko, accusing him of inciting the violence. The confrontation highlights the volatile political climate that often puts voters and election monitors at risk, undermining the peaceful exercise of civic duty. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had deployed monitors to the by-election, who witnessed the mounting tensions firsthand.

Commander Koilim affirmed that the area is now calm and security has been reinforced to prevent further disturbances. The focus now shifts to the prosecution of the arrested suspects and the ongoing investigation into the political motivations behind the violence that marred the Kasipul by-election.