IEBC Chair Erastus Ethekon summons Kasipul by-election candidates over rising campaign violence

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued summons to two leading candidates in the Kasipul Constituency by‑election, Boyd Were and Philip Aroko, over violent campaigns that have resulted in loss of lives.

Speaking on Friday, November 14, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon revealed that hearings would commence on Monday, November 17, with the Commission warning of possible disqualifications pending the outcome.

“We are aware of the incidences of violence in Kasipul. Immediately we heard of the incidents, we dispatched our investigations team to the ground. They conducted investigations and now we have the final report,” noted Ethekon.

“We have empanelled the Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, which will commence its work on Monday to summon those candidates in Kasipul,” he added.

The summons follows clashes in which two people were killed and several others were injured in violence between rival factions. The two camps have since traded accusations over who is behind the fracas, with both denying responsibility.

The violence prompted the Interior Ministry on Friday to suspend an assistant chief for allegedly participating in campaigns. Detectives were also dispatched to probe the nature of the unrest and identify those responsible.

The chief was suspended from public service after it emerged that he had hosted the two opposing factions at his home last week. The meeting turned violent when groups allied to ODM’s Boyd Were and independent candidate Philip Aroko clashed, leaving two dead and several injured.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koime confirmed investigations into the public officer’s alleged involvement were underway, adding that further action would follow if he was found culpable.

“An administrative action has been taken against the assistant chief because the two young men were killed in his homestead. We are investigating him to find out if he participated in the murder of the two men,” Koime said.

Reports suggest the assistant chief was attempting to broker peace after days of tension between the rival groups. However, other accounts indicate he may have been allied with one candidate and orchestrated an attack under the guise of a meeting.

Residents said the November 6 incident was linked to their preferred candidates. Boyd, son of the late Kasipul MP Charles Were, accused his rival of orchestrating the attack.

On Thursday, November 13, several officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were injured in a violent confrontation with armed assailants in Kasipul.

Police reported the incident occurred during a security operation to apprehend suspects linked to the killing of two youths in the Opondo area ahead of the November 27 Kasipul parliamentary by‑election.

According to reports, the officers, including Rachuonyo South Sub‑County DCI boss Daniel Muhuhi, were ambushed while attempting to arrest suspects at the home of the late former Kasipul MP, Ong’ondo Were, in Kachien Village.

The officers were attacked while tracing suspects to the Kosele Trading Centre following intelligence reports. The group fled and sought refuge at the late MP’s homestead, where they assaulted the officers.

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