Sarah Anyango
Violence broke out at the Kasipul Constituency by-election on Thursday morning after Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was attacked by a mob at the Agoro Sare Primary School polling station. Kaluma sustained a head injury, while his bodyguard was assaulted and disarmed, with his firearm stolen in the ensuing chaos.
The altercation occurred as voting proceeded for the seat left vacant following the death of the former MP. Kaluma, acting as chief agent and observer for ODM candidate Boyd Were Ong’ondo, arrived at the polling station accompanied by one of the aspirants. He was immediately confronted by a group of unruly youths who surrounded and overwhelmed him, dragging him to the ground and beating him.
Witnesses reported seeing the legislator bleeding heavily from the head. His bodyguard also suffered injuries and was stripped of his firearm, which remains missing.
Speaking moments after the assault, a visibly shaken Kaluma directly accused independent candidate Philip Aroko of instigating the attack. “I have been attacked by Aroko and his team of goons. He was the one directing them,” he said. “They have taken my bodyguard’s gun. This is unacceptable. Our people should come out and vote. These individuals want to scare voters with violence—do not respond in kind.”
Aroko, who witnesses say attempted to shield Kaluma during the scuffle, has yet to issue a formal response. ODM candidate Boyd Were arrived shortly after and condemned the violence, urging calm within the constituency.
Police officers deployed to the polling center restored order soon after the incident, and medical teams administered first aid to Kaluma and his bodyguard. No arrests had been reported as of publication time.
The Kasipul contest has experienced heightened tension throughout the campaign period, driven by the fierce rivalry between ODM’s Were and Aroko, who is running as an independent after falling out with the ruling party. In an effort to curb further disruptions, the IEBC has barred all candidates and their agents from entering polling stations.
The violence in Kasipul mirrors unrest in several other constituencies participating in Kenya’s multi-seat by-elections, widely viewed as a litmus test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Malava Constituency, Kakamega County, unidentified assailants torched a vehicle belonging to DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa in Manyonje, Butali Ward. DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako reported overnight attacks on his family and property, forcing him to flee on a motorbike.
In Mbeere North, Embu County, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi—backing candidate Newton Karish—personally ejected UDA polling agent and Chinga Ward MCA Kiruga Thuku from the Siakago Social Hall for wearing party colors and allegedly attempting to bribe voters, nearly sparking a fistfight.
Additional incidents were recorded in Bungoma, Machakos, and Nyamira counties: agents chased from polling stations in Chwele-Kabuchai Ward; Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua forced out of Kasinga Primary School in Mumbuni Ward; and barricades on the Kisii–Kericho highway in Nyansiongo Ward, which hindered access and reduced turnout due to fear.
Opposition leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo, condemned the widespread disruptions as indicative of security lapses or complicity, urging Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to take firm corrective measures.
Despite reinforced deployment across affected constituencies, the by-elections have been marked by assaults, arson, and intimidation, raising serious concerns about the country’s preparedness for upcoming national polls.