The death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dramatically changed how Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members mobilise support for their candidates in the upcoming by-elections.
This shift is particularly evident in Kasipul where the party is facing stiff competition from several contenders in the November 27, 2025 by election.
Party officials are now under immense pressure to secure victory in that by election without the influence of the legendary politician.
The late Charles Ong’ondo Were who was the Member of Parliament for Kasipul Constituency.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Previously, Mr Odinga would make brief visits to electoral areas in the lake region towards the end of campaigns and hold major rallies that often swayed undecided voters in favour of ODM candidates.
The party successfully used this approach in the 2012 Ndhiwa parliamentary by-election following the death of former Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, and again in the 2015 senatorial by-election after the death of Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang’.
However, Mr Odinga’s passing has forced campaign teams to intensify their efforts across the region including in former hotspots where violence had broken out in the past.
ODM is deploying all available resources to retain the seat, including running advertisements on vernacular radio stations.
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
Mr Were’s son Boyd Were, who is ODM’s flag bearer, faces stiff competition from independent candidates Philip Aroko and Robert Money Bior—both seen as strong contenders.
Other candidates include Abok Isaac Kiche (Kenya Moja Movement), Kotiende Sam Rateng Okoth (United Progressive Alliance), Omondi Collins Okeyo (Movement for Democracy and Growth), Koyoo Ishmael Omondi (National Liberal Party), Linda Aoko (Independent), and Robert Ouko Ouma (Labour Party of Kenya).
ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has deployed a robust team of campaigners—including MCAs, party officials and members of her cabinet—to camp in Kasipul and rally support for Boyd.
Ms Wanga said the party unanimously agreed to support its candidate after the September 24 nominations, which were marred by violence.
Politician and businessman Philip Aroko.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
“We all agreed to campaign for the ODM candidate and Boyd won fairly. He should complete his father’s term which was to end in 2027 before another election is held,” she said.
The governor described Kasipul politics as “on another level” and accused critics of trying to use the by-election to undermine ODM.
“A lot of conversations are going on that if we fail to deliver in Kasipul, it will mark the beginning of ODM’s downfall. They want to use this by-election to show that our party is dead,” Ms Wanga said.
She further claimed that some critics were suggesting she depended solely on Odinga to gain political traction.
“Their intention is to end Ong’ondo Were’s leadership,” she added.
ODM chairperson, Gladys Wanga.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
During a campaign in Kachien, Central Kasipul, ODM members urged residents to honour Odinga’s legacy by supporting Boyd, noting that the former prime minister had endorsed him during his father’s burial.
“It will also demonstrate to our critics that ODM is not dead,” Ms Wanga told voters.
Speakers at the rally also called for peace as the campaign season enters its final stretch. ODM officials distanced the party from past violence and accused opponents of instigating chaos.
Ms Wanga claimed previous political attacks in the constituency were orchestrated to push the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) into disqualifying Boyd. Both Boyd and Aroko were fined Sh1 million each for violent incidents that led to the deaths of two people.
