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Kasipul by-election campaigns starts after IEBC clearance

Constituency Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku urged the candidates to adhere to the rules.

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by ROBERT OMOLLO

Nyanza10 October 2025 - 07:48
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In Summary


  • Those cleared include Boyd Were (ODM), Philip Aroko (Independent), Sam Rateng (United Progressive Alliance – UPA) and Collins Okeyo (MDG). 
  • Three of the candidates—Were, Aroko and Rateng—hit the ground running immediately after being cleared, leading processions to the populous Oyugis town to begin their campaigns.
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Boyd Were receives his nomination certificate for the Kasipul By-election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has cleared candidates to contest the Kasipul parliamentary by-election set for November 27.

Those cleared include Boyd Were (ODM), Philip Aroko (Independent), Sam Rateng (United Progressive Alliance – UPA) and Collins Okeyo (MDG).

Three of the candidates—Were, Aroko and Rateng—hit the ground running immediately after being cleared, leading processions to the populous Oyugis town to begin their campaigns.

Constituency Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku, who oversaw the exercise at Kosele trading centre, urged the candidates to adhere to the rules and regulations they signed with the IEBC.

“We expect the candidates to follow the IEBC code of conduct. They have been provided with campaign schedules to ensure a peaceful process,” Abwaku said.

Aroko said he was prepared for peaceful campaigns, adding that he was best placed to address the constituency’s challenges.

“The people of Kasipul have undergone many problems, and I am the only one who can fix them. I don’t expect external forces to interfere with the will of the people,” he said.

Okeyo expressed optimism that the race would remain peaceful, pledging to focus on development if elected.

“I am ready to capture this seat and we expect peaceful campaigns throughout this electioneering period,” he said.

Rateng vowed to tackle what he termed misplaced leadership priorities that had denied the people of Kasipul meaningful development.

“We have faced discrimination and violence that have hindered progress. I will unite the people and fix these issues,” Rateng said.

He pledged to introduce a bill in Parliament to harmonise all bursaries under the Ministry of Education to ensure children from poor backgrounds can access free education.

Rateng also condemned an attack on his campaign convoy that left three of his vehicles vandalised. He has since recorded a statement with the police at Oyugis station.

“Let the police take the necessary action. We expect IEBC to discipline any candidate who violates its rules. We will not be intimidated,” he said.

Were, who was accompanied by senior ODM leaders, said he was committed to serving the people of Kasipul diligently.

“I appeal to the people to elect me. I am ready to work hard to transform their lives,” he said.

Were thanked ODM for giving young leaders opportunities to serve, saying it showed the party’s commitment to youth empowerment.

“By supporting me, ODM has demonstrated its faith in young leaders,” he said.

ODM’s top brass—including chairperson Gladys Wanga, Deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir, Godfrey Osotsi and secretary general Edwin Sifuna—led a major rally in Oyugis town after the clearance.

Wanga said the party would unite behind Were to ensure victory.

“ODM has confidence in Were. After evaluating various factors, we believe he is the most suitable candidate,” she said.

Sifuna said the party would deploy multiple campaign strategies, including community-based outreach.

“ODM will spend significant resources and ensure its people camp here to campaign. We’ll even use mother tongue to connect with voters,” he said.

Nassir and Osotsi assured supporters that ODM leaders would remain on the ground until the final vote.

“What we are doing today is just the beginning. We’ll hold more rallies until we win,” Nassir said.

They were joined by Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo and senators Moses Kajwang’ (Homa Bay) and Eddy Oketch (Migori), who also pledged full support for Were’s campaign.

The IEBC is expected to complete clearance of the remaining candidates by Thursday.

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