23 people arrested, 15 vehicles impounded in Kasipul by-election violence

At least 23 people have been arrested and 15 vehicles, along with two motorbikes, impounded with crude weapons during the Kasipul by-election, which was marred by violence.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and his bodyguard were injured in a scuffle at Agoro Sare Primary School after they were attacked by supporters of independent candidate Philip Aroko.

The MP’s bodyguard’s firearm was stolen in the chaos but has since been recovered.

The calm atmosphere at Agoro Sare Primary School shifted abruptly the moment independent candidate Philip Aroko arrived at the compound, which hosts eight polling stations.

ODM chief agent and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, who had been waiting for ODM candidate Boyd Were to arrive and cast his vote, became an unexpected casualty of the tense encounter.

Initially, Kaluma received Aroko warmly after mistaking his convoy for that of Were. But moments later, tension flared as Aroko’s supporters suddenly turned on the MP, attacking him with kicks and blows despite repeated calls for calm.

During the scuffle, Kaluma’s bodyguard was also injured, and his firearm was snatched by the hostile crowd before being recovered later.

"The goons left in a huff after the attack, with police reinforcement arriving at the venue minutes after the incident happened. With the news of the attack spreading like wildfire, goons allegedly on a revenge mission armed with crude weapons landed at the school but were repulsed by security officers," Kaluma said.

"With the incident raising tensions, the ODM candidate was escorted to the polling station by police to vote in a bid to avoid any possible clash with the rival team," Lawrence Koilem, Police Commander, Homa Bay, said.

At Oyugis Police Station, the aftermath of the day’s chaos was unmistakable. The vehicles lined up in the yard, among the 15 vehicles and two motorbikes impounded, bore clear signs of violent confrontation between rival camps.

"Away from the violence, the by-election recorded low turnout, which was partly blamed on the violence witnessed during the mini polls," Koilem said.

"We noted the low turnout during the by-election, which was affected by the violence at the polling stations," Rebecca Abwaku, returning officer, IEBC, said.

For now, Kasipul residents wait with bated breath to know who will be the next Member of Parliament from the pool of 10 candidates seeking the position.