The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has imposed hefty KSh1 million fines on Kasipul by-election candidates Boyd Were and Philip Aroko following violent and deadly clashes that rocked the constituency’s campaign trail. The sanctions, announced on Wednesday, November 19 by the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee chaired by Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana, must be settled within 48 hours or risk triggering more punitive disciplinary measures, including possible disqualification.
The crackdown follows the fatal November 6, 2025 violence in Opondo area, Central Kasipul Ward, where two people were killed and several others injured after clashes between supporters of the two rival candidates. According to Commissioner Mukhwana, the chaos erupted when supporters of independent candidate Philip Aroko stormed a venue where ODM candidate Boyd Were was holding a campaign meeting.
“As Mr Were went to report the incident at Oyugis Police Station, his supporters retaliated against Aroko’s team, leading to the fatal hacking of two Aroko supporters aged 26,” Mukhwana revealed.
The committee ruled that both Aroko and Were violated multiple provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct, including disregarding a harmonized campaign schedule and failing to restrain their followers. “They failed to cooperate with each other in good faith… and failed to take reasonable steps to restrain their followers,” said Mukhwana. The returning officer confirmed that neither candidate was authorized to campaign in the Opondo area on the day the violence broke out.
In addition to the fines, IEBC uncovered disturbing evidence of weapons being displayed at campaign rallies, escalating the already tense political environment. The commission also issued a strong rebuke to the Homa Bay County Government, accusing it of using public resources and involving county officials in political mobilization – actions prohibited under the Elections Offences Act.
“This committee condemns the use of public resources and involvement of public officers in political campaigns. It must stop,” Mukhwana stressed.
Both candidates have now been ordered to sign a Political Decency Charter and publicly commit to peaceful campaigns. IEBC warned that any repeat violation will result in their ouster from the November 27 by-election.
Mukhwana concluded with a sharp reminder of the human cost of electoral chaos: “Let this serve as a warning – children must be safe, women and the elderly must walk to polling centres without fearing that a machete will hack their head.”
