The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fined two Kasipul parliamentary by-election candidates Ksh.1 million each after a violent confrontation between their supporters left two young men dead.
IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said independent candidate Phillip Aroko and ODM’s Boyd Were were found guilty of breaching the electoral code of conduct by disregarding a harmonized campaign schedule a violation that sparked the fatal clashes.
The violence erupted on November 6, 2025, in the Opondo area of Central Kasipul Ward. According to the commission, tension escalated when Aroko and his supporters allegedly stormed Were’s rally and fired shots in the air, triggering chaos.
As Were proceeded to report the incident at the Oyugis Police Station, his supporters struck back, attacking Aroko’s team. Two supporters from Aroko’s camp, both aged 26, were hacked to death in the confrontation.
Commissioner Mukhwana, who chairs the Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, said both sides filed complaints opening the door for a thorough investigation.
The probe established that neither candidate was allowed to campaign in the area on that day.
“This position was further confirmed by the returning officer that both parties were not permitted to be at Opondo area,” Mukhwana said, adding that weapons were openly carried during the rallies.
He criticized the candidates for failing to coordinate or act in good faith, allowing events to overlap and tensions to escalate.
“They failed to take reasonable steps to restrain their followers,” he said.
The IEBC has directed both candidates to pay the fines within 48 hours. Mukhwana warned that any repeat of violence will lead to immediate disqualification from the November 27 by-election.
He urged all political actors to prioritize peace, emphasizing that elections must never endanger communities.
“What this committee has rendered today ought to serve as a clear warning…children must be safe where violence is being caused, and women, youth, and the elderly must walk into polling centres without fear,” he said.
Both Aroko and Were later signed the Political Decency Charter, pledging peaceful campaigns going forward.
“I have been a peaceful man since I started this campaign in 2023… I know I will keep it peaceful,” Aroko said.
Were echoed the call for calm: “I want to reaffirm my commitment to advocating for peace in Kasipul. Let us maintain peace and embrace each other.”
The Kasipul parliamentary seat fell vacant after the mysterious killing of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was shot dead by unknown attackers in Nairobi on April 30.
