Political activity in Kasipul has entered a tense and uncertain phase after UDA officials from the area chose to openly support independent candidate Philip Aroko instead of the ODM candidate Boyd Were.
Their decision, made just days before the November 27 by-election, has shifted the mood of the campaigns and created confusion among voters who were expecting UDA to follow the cooperation agreement it has with ODM.
Many residents are now questioning what the move means for the final outcome and how it will influence the relationship between the two parties.UDA’s Kasipul chairman Arthur Onyango Aoko explained during a rally that the party had originally planned to support ODM as part of the broad cooperation between the two sides.
He said UDA had agreed not to field a candidate and would instead stand behind the person ODM nominated.
However, he argued that ODM mishandled its nomination process, creating frustration among locals.
According to Aoko, the primaries were chaotic, unfair, and locked out credible aspirants who had strong support.
This, he said, made many UDA officials reconsider their position because they felt the process had not respected the will of the people.
Aoko also pointed to a recent incident in which a hospital owned by Kepher Ogada, a well-known UDA supporter in the area, was allegedly attacked.
He claimed the attack increased political tension and made cooperation with ODM nearly impossible. He stated that the party could not, in good faith, support a team associated with such hostility.
Aoko then declared that UDA officials were now firmly behind Aroko, adding that if he wins the election, the ruling party would work to bring him into its fold.
He argued that having Aroko in UDA would strengthen support for President William Ruto in the constituency and help ensure development projects reach the area.
Philip Aroko, once an ODM member himself, welcomed the endorsement with confidence. He said the move showed that his political influence continues to grow and that his leadership fits well within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He recalled how ODM had previously accused him of being a UDA mole, saying the latest events proved that he had always been politically relevant and capable of attracting broad support.
Aroko told residents that supporting him would keep Kasipul close to the national government and help the area benefit fully from ongoing development plans.
The endorsement, however, has created mixed reactions because Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had only recently announced that UDA would support Boyd Were in honour of the cooperation deal with ODM. His message was clear that UDA would not field its own candidate and expected its members to stand with ODM. The conflicting positions from different UDA leaders have thrown the by-election into uncertainty, with voters unsure which message truly reflects the party’s direction.
