The people of Kasipul are still in shock following the violent clashes that left two of Philip Aroko’s supporters dead just weeks before the November 27 by-election.
What was supposed to be a peaceful campaign period has turned into a scene of fear and blame, with both Aroko and ODM candidate Boyd Were accusing each other of orchestrating the chaos.
The killings have reawakened old wounds in a constituency known for political rivalry and unresolved tragedies that date back many years.
Reports indicate that the two victims, said to be part of Aroko’s grassroots mobilisation team, were ambushed on Thursday, November 6, as they made their way to a campaign event in Nyandiwa, West Kamagak Ward.
Witnesses claim the attackers, believed to be supporters of Boyd Were, confronted Aroko’s men in what quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation. One of the men reportedly died at the scene, while the other succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The violence did not end there, as mobs retaliated, leaving another person injured and property destroyed.
Aroko told police that his team was caught off guard by gunshots and stones that were hurled at their convoy before the attack.
He said the chaos led to the death of two of his trusted team members and described the incident as a deliberate attempt to spread fear among his supporters.
Videos he shared from the Rachuonyo County Hospital morgue showed grieving residents viewing the body of a young man identified as Bruno, one of his supporters. The identity of the second victim was still being confirmed.In his statement, Aroko blamed individuals linked to Boyd Were for the attack and compared Boyd’s conduct to that of his late father, Ong’ondo Were, whose murder in Nairobi remains a sensitive subject in Kasipul.
He wrote that Bruno’s death was a painful loss for the community, accusing his rival of reviving a legacy of violence and intimidation.
Aroko said the upcoming election would mark a turning point for Kasipul, declaring that the people would not bow to fear.
On his part, Boyd Were denied any involvement in the killings, saying Aroko’s camp was the one that provoked violence.
According to Boyd, his team was meeting voters in Opondo area, Central Kasipul Ward, when Aroko’s group showed up and began firing shots, causing panic.
He claimed the same group went to Nyalenda and destroyed their campaign materials, including burning two motorcycles. He condemned the violence but avoided mentioning the deaths in his initial statement.
Later, he released a follow-up message sending condolences to the bereaved families and calling for peace.The deadly confrontation has cast a dark shadow over the Kasipul by-election.
The region has long been associated with political tension and sporadic violence, often tied to past events like the death of Ong’ondo Were, which changed the tone of local politics.
Only weeks before this incident, women attending an empowerment event in Sikri were attacked by unidentified groups. Such repeated cases of political unrest have raised fears about voter safety as the election approaches.
With national leaders including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga recently leading major campaigns for Boyd, pressure is mounting for security agencies to restore calm and ensure justice for the victims.
