Boyd Were, representing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has emerged as the winner of the Kasipul parliamentary by-election, taking over from his late father, Charles Ong’ondo Were.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirmed that Were collected 16,819 votes, surpassing independent candidate Philip Aroko, who received 8,476 votes.
“The Kasipul Constituency By-Election Returning Officer, Rebecca Abwaku, declared Boyd Ongondo Were of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party the duly elected Member of National Assembly (MNA) for Kasipul Constituency after garnering 16,819 votes. Philip Nashon Aroko, an Independent candidate, finished second after securing 8,476 votes,” IEBC stated early on November 28.
Robert Riga, popularly referred to as Money Bior, also ran as an independent candidate and finished behind Aroko.
The contest featured a total of ten aspirants, including Collins Okeyo from the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG), Sam Rateng Okoth from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Linda Aoko Ouma, Isaac Kiche Abok, Omondi Ko’yoo of the National Liberal Party (NLP), Jesse Okello, and Robert Ouko.
Polling was conducted across 142 stations distributed over the constituency’s five wards: Central Kasipul (33), West Kamagak (27), South Kasipul (29), West Kasipul (34), and East Kamagak (19).
Were’s triumph is seen as a boost for ODM, which aims to maintain a stronghold in Luo Nyanza following the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose influence dominated the region for decades.
Prominent ODM figures, including party leader Oburu Odinga, ODM chair Gladys Wanga, and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, camped in Kasipul to rally residents behind Were, emphasizing that the win would honor Raila Odinga’s enduring legacy.
Philip Aroko, meanwhile, enjoyed notable support from leaders such as Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, and UDA officials, making the race highly competitive despite ODM and UDA’s alliance at the national level.
The campaign period was marred by violence, leading to Ksh 1 million fines for both Were and Aroko. Clashes between supporters resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries, with IEBC noting that the conflicts arose when both candidates campaigned in the same area on a day outside the official “harmonized campaign schedule.”
On election day, tensions escalated when Peter Kaluma, serving as Boyd Were’s chief agent, was assaulted at Agoro Sare Polling Station, during which his bodyguard’s firearm was stolen. Kaluma sustained a minor head injury but committed to resolving the matter peacefully, refusing to retaliate.
