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Worry as two killed in fresh Kasipul by-election campaigns chaos
Damaged vehicles parked at Berils Hospital in Kasipul Constituency in Homa Bay County on September 24, 2025. The vehicles were damaged by armed youths during ODM nominations in the region.
Two people were killed in Kasipul after violence broke out between supporters of two candidates at a rally in the constituency on Thursday afternoon.
Several people were also injured when supporters of ODM candidate Boyd Were confronted those of independent candidate Philip Aroko.
During the confrontation at the Opondo area in Central Kasipul Ward, two men were hacked to death using machetes, bringing back memories of past political violence within the constituency.
Youths who attended the rally were armed and ready to launch an attack.
After the attacks, both politicians pointed fingers at each other for being responsible for the deaths and injuries.
County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem said the violence began when Mr Aroko was on his campaign trail.
He reported that the independent candidate found a crowd that was being addressed by ODM politicians.
"All of them were campaigning. Aroko found Boyd Were with some youths," the police boss said.
Mr Koilem blamed the independent candidate for disrupting the meeting.
According to the police commander, gunshots rent the air when the two candidates met.
This led to tension as members of the public scampered for safety for fear of being harmed.
The information quickly spread across the village.
Mr Koilem said there was misinformation that someone had been killed.
"One group decided to retaliate. Information going around was that someone had been shot," he said.
According to police, Mr Were rushed to report the matter as his supporters were fighting their opponents.
Mr Koilem said supporters from both teams were hunting each other.
It led to the death of two men aged 26, spreading tension in the constituency.
Most people feared for their lives as they went about their daily activities on Thursday evening.
Mr Koilem said he deployed a contingent of officers to the constituency to conduct night patrols to ease tension.
The county security committee, led by County Commissioner Ronald Fuba was planning to hold a meeting in Kasipul on Friday to address the rising cases of political violence. They are also investigating the case.
Mr Koilem said part of what they will look into is tracing the person who fired the gun.
"We want to establish if he or she is a licensed gun holder," he said.
Mr Aroko said the violence was meant to spread fear among voters.
He said whoever is using political violence will not succeed in their goals.
"We refuse to be broken by hatred or intimidation. In this moment of sorrow for Bruno and all who have suffered, we choose unity over division, courage over panic, and healing over anger," the independent candidate said.
He called for unity, saying voters should be kept safe.
