Police in Homa Bay County have arrested sixteen suspected armed thugs following an attack on Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma at Agoro Sare Primary School during the Kasipul Constituency by-election on November 27, 2025.
The suspects were found in possession of ten pangas, five knives, rungus, and stones, and are currently in police custody awaiting arraignment.
The arrests followed a swift manhunt during which officers intercepted five vehicles and two motorcycles believed to have been used in the attack.
In a statement issued on Friday, the National Police Service (NPS) emphasised its commitment to ensuring peaceful and transparent electoral processes, assuring the public of safety at all times.
“The Service will continue to intensify operations countrywide to deter crime, safeguard public safety, and maintain law and order,” the statement read in part.
MP Kaluma and his bodyguard were attacked at Agoro Sare polling station, during which his firearm was reportedly stolen.
Kaluma, who was serving as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party’s chief agent in the by-election, sustained a head injury after being assaulted by a group of youths allegedly supporting the opponent of ODM candidate, independent candidate Philip Aroko.
The campaign period in Kasipul was also marred by violence, leading the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to impose fines of Sh1 million each on both Aroko and Boyd Were, son of the late MP Charles Ongondo Were, whose death on 30 April 2025 had left the parliamentary seat vacant.
Boyd Were emerged victorious in the by-election, securing 16,819 votes compared to Aroko’s 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 with 8,476 votes,” IEBC confirmed on 28 November.
The contest attracted 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.
