The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing a major test as it prepares to nominate a candidate for the upcoming Kasipul by-election, following the death of area Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were on April 30, 2025.
The three aspirants who have declared their interest in the seat are businessmen Philip Aroko, Robert Riaga, popularly known as Money Bior, and Boyd Were, the late MP’s son.
All three have launched campaigns and are actively engaging with constituents ahead of the mini poll, whose date is yet to be announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The late Charles Ong’ondo Were who was the Member of Parliament for Kasipul Constituency.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Mr Riaga is running as an independent and has adopted blue as his campaign colour. His strategy involves philanthropic gestures such as paying school fees and hospital bills for vulnerable families.
Meanwhile, Mr Aroko and Mr Were are seeking the ODM ticket. The party enjoys strong support in the constituency, and securing its nomination is widely seen as a crucial step toward electoral victory.
ODM employs several methods to select candidates — direct nomination, secret ballot, or delegate-based selection. However, its nomination processes have previously sparked discontent, particularly during the 2022 elections, when some members in Homa Bay defected to run as independents or joined rival parties such as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The method that the ODM will settle on in Kasipul could strengthen or weaken the party’s influence in the region. Some residents have called for a transparent and credible nomination process.
“The party risks losing support if it disregards public opinion. The nomination process will determine ODM’s future relevance here,” said Wycliffe Ochieng, a resident.
Boyd Were, the son of late Kaspul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, during the requiem mass at Consolata Shrine in Nairobi on May 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Another resident, Leonard Oluoch, warned that past political tensions in the area could be reignited by perceived favouritism.
“There are already claims that the party has a preferred candidate, which is causing anxiety among supporters of other aspirants,” he noted.
“Kasipul residents must elect individuals with the capacity to transform lives, not just those aligned with particular parties,” said Michael Kojo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Asego Public Litigation Forum.
Mr Aroko, a self-declared life member of ODM, has called for fair nominations. He accused rivals of spreading falsehoods intended to damage his reputation, including claims linking him to UDA.
“I will not be intimidated. I am doing what is right,” he said.
Mr Aroko has just recently returned to the constituency after weeks away during which he was under investigation in connection with the murder of the late MP.
Initially arrested, he was later released by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and is now listed as a witness in the case.
During his homecoming, Mr Aroko called for peace and urged voters not to associate him with the MP’s murder.
“Aler ka pamba (I’m as white as cotton). Let us make Kasipul peaceful and business-friendly,” he said.
Mr Aroko launched his campaign at Ombek Market, passed through several trading centres along the Oyugis–Rodi Kopany road, and concluded with a rally at his home in East Kamagak.
Mr Aroko had planned to challenge the late Were in the 2027 general election. Now, he faces the late MP’s son. Mr Aroko has urged the late MP’s supporters to consider backing him instead.
“Kasipul voters must be free to choose their representative without coercion,” Mr Aroko said.
Politician and businessman Philip Aroko.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
In contrast, Mr Were is focusing on preserving and advancing his father’s political legacy. He has held community meetings and is leveraging his family’s long-standing relationship with ODM to gain traction.
Following the burial of the late MP, ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga visited the constituency to rally support for Mr Were. However, her involvement drew criticism from some party members, who felt she was interfering with local politics.
Ms Wanga later assured constituents that the nomination process would be transparent and competitive.
“After the nomination exercise, ODM will rally behind our candidate to secure victory in the by-election,” Ms Wanga said.
For ODM, the Kasipul by-election is more than a contest for a parliamentary seat — it is a pivotal moment that could shape the party’s future influence in the region.
