At least two people were Thursday evening following clashes between supporters of two Kasipul parliamentary by-election candidates during a political rally in Opondo area in Central Kasipul Ward, Homa Bay County.
Several other people were injured as gunshots rent the air in the clashes, police said.
Police said they were looking for an aspiring candidate for the seat Philip Aroko, following the shooting incident.
He is a licensed gun holder. He is said to have shot into the air several times in the chaos that left many with injuries following a confrontation.
Police said they want to talk to him as part of the probe into the incident. He did not respond to calls.
The confrontation occurred at the Opondo area in Central Kasipul Ward when supporters of independent candidate Aroko and ODM’s Boyd Were engaged in violent skirmishes.
According to County Police Commander Lawrance Koilem, the chaos erupted after Aroko and his supporters allegedly stormed Were’s campaign venue and fired shots into the air, sparking panic and violence.
Koilem said that as Were went to report the incident at Oyugis Police Station, his supporters retaliated against Aroko’s team, leading to the fatal hacking of two youths aged 26, both supporters of Aroko.
This also left almost a dozen people injured.
The deceased were identified as Ben Ondiege who had deep cuts on the head and Bruno Onyango also with deep cuts on the head also.
The police commander confirmed that investigations are underway, adding that officers are on the ground to ensure all those responsible are brought to book.
“No one will be spared and we want all involved in the chaos to be held responsible,” he said.
The seat fell vacant following the murder of late MP Charles Ong’ondo Were who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Nairobi in April 2025.
Homa Bay Governor and ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga condemned the incident, urging the police and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take firm action against any candidate or supporter involved in political violence ahead of the upcoming Kasipul by-election slated for November 27, 2025.
“We are deeply disturbed by reports that a peaceful voter engagement by our candidate, Hon. Boyd Were, was violently disrupted yesterday by goons associated with one of the candidates.”
“The attackers stormed the venue, destroyed property, and endangered the safety of residents; unfortunately resulting in loss of lives and leaving behind fear and tension among the community.
This is not an isolated incident,” she said.
She said during the recent Women Empowerment Programme in Sikri, several vehicles belonging to supporters of Were were vandalized, and the women attending the event were harassed and injured. “Despite such intense provocation, our party and candidate have consistently maintained peace and decorum, choosing dialogue over confrontation.”
“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,” she said.
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