IEBC commissioners during a meeting with candidates in the Kasipul by-election race on November 17, 2025./IEBCThe Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee has delivered directives to candidates participating in the upcoming Kasipul Constituency by-election, following the hearing of four complaints linked to the campaigns.
The Committee delivered its ruling on complaint number IEBC/ECCEC/BE/O4/2025, noting the growing concerns over violence and intimidation that have been reported during campaign activities in the constituency.
In its statement, the Committee emphasized the need to ensure that all candidates are afforded a level playing field and can campaign freely without fear or coercion.
To address these concerns, the Committee issued several key orders. All candidates are required to adhere strictly to the harmonized campaign schedule, which was agreed upon in the presence of all contestants.
Kasipul constituency MP aspirant Philip Aroko during the meeting with IEBC commissioners on November 17, 2025./IEBCA reasoned decision on the matters is expected to be delivered on Tuesday, 18th November 2025.
Kasipul, a constituency in Homa Bay County, has in recent weeks featured prominently in national media reports due to rising political tensions and incidents of campaign-related violence.
Several clashes between supporters of leading candidates have been reported, with police being called in to quell confrontations at campaign rallies. The heightened political activity comes ahead of a highly contested by-election following the vacancy of the parliamentary seat.
ODM's Kasipul constituency MP aspirant Boyd Were during the meeting with IEBC commissioners on November 17, 2025./IEBCThe Commission has consistently underscored the importance of peaceful, transparent, and fair campaigns, particularly in constituencies with a history of political tension.
In recent by-election campaigns in Kasipul, authorities have recorded sporadic clashes, threats, and disruptions at campaign events, prompting IEBC to take preventive measures to safeguard voters and candidates alike.
Some of the IEBC commissioners during the meeting. /IEBCIn early November, at least two people were killed in clashes between supporters of two Kasipul parliamentary by-election candidates during a political rally in the Opondo area, Central Kasipul Ward, Homa Bay County.
Several others sustained injuries as gunshots were reported during the confrontations, police said.
Authorities said they were seeking to speak with a licensed gun holder who reportedly fired shots into the air twice amid the chaos that left many people injured.
County Police Commander Lawrance Koilem said the unrest followed an incident at Boyd Were’s campaign venue that led to panic and clashes.
“As Were went to report the incident at Oyugis Police Station, his supporters reacted, which resulted in the tragic death of two youths,” Koilem said.
The Kasipul parliamentary seat fell vacant following the murder of late MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was shot in Nairobi in April 2025 by unknown individuals.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has strongly condemned the act ahead of the by-election scheduled for November 27.
In a press statement released later that day, the party expressed deep concern over reports that a peaceful voter engagement by its candidate, Boyd Were, was violently disrupted.
“We wish to make it clear that ODM will not be intimidated by acts of lawlessness aimed at derailing a free, fair, and peaceful election in Kasipul. The people of Kasipul deserve the right to choose their leader without fear, intimidation and coercion,” ODM said.
Later on Wednesday, November 12, tension gripped Kasipul again after armed youths attacked detectives during a murder suspect raid, leaving three DCI officers injured and five suspects on the run—just days before the constituency’s by-election.
Police said five suspects, who had been cornered for arrest, managed to escape during the confrontation.
Among the injured was the DCI Officer in Charge of Rachuonyo South Sub-County, Daniel Muhuhi.
The officers were attacked by armed goons while attempting to arrest the suspects at the homestead of the late former Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were in Kachien Village, Central Kasipul Ward.
One of the suspects fled with a police handcuff, and officers have appealed to him to surrender it to the nearest station.
Koilem said the officers were attacked at the late MP’s homestead, where the suspects had been hiding.
Koilem explained that the operation followed police intelligence that tracked the suspects to Kosele Trading Centre. When they noticed police presence, the suspects fled and sought refuge in the homestead.
