Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and his bodyguard sustained injuries after being attacked during the Kasipul parliamentary by-election on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Kaluma’s bodyguard’s firearm was also reported missing following the incident.

“I’m in a sitution where I am the observer for the ODM candidate. You can see I am bleeding. I have been attacked by Aroko and a team of goons. They have gone with the gun, for my body guard. And you can see they have stolen. And he’s the one who was telling them to hit me when I’m okay. And I’m here to wait for our ODM candidate to be on the way to vote.”

“This is not acceptable. I want to tell our people to stay now. Come out and vote. Don’t worry about what is happening. Come out and vote. These people want to cause violence so that they scare people from voting.”

“So come out and vote. You see, they have attacked me, but I’m still here. There is no issue. Come out and vote. As we encourage our people, don’t react if you are attacked. Just the way you have not reacted, you will not attack.”

Earlier in the day, Kaluma had spoken to journalists at Agoro Sare Primary School, where he described the voter turnout as low but typical for a by-election.

“Yeah, the turnout is still low, but this is normal for by-elections. People wake up in the morning to open their shops or go to their farms. You expect the numbers to build again from around 11 am going to one,” he said.

Kaluma emphasised that Kasipul residents are peaceful and that any violence is usually imported from outside the constituency. He praised the presence of police officers deployed by the government, saying they were there to support voters and ensure a free and fair process.

“Peace must be there. Let people just come out, not just in Kasipul but across the nation where we are having these by-elections,” he added.

The by-election comes after the seat was left vacant following the death of Ongondo Were, who was shot in Nairobi on April 30, 2025. The race for Kasipul has drawn ten candidates, including independent candidates Philip Aroko, Robert Riaga, and Jasmin Linda, alongside representatives from other parties such as Kenya Moja Movement and the United Progressive Alliance.

Voting continues despite attacks

Voting began at 6 am with few residents at the polling stations. As the morning progressed, turnout increased. Some residents had delayed voting due to domestic work, farming, or waiting for daylight.

The government had deployed extra security officers to Kasipul to prevent possible violence. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had assured voters of a safe and peaceful exercise.

The violence in Kasipul mirrors incidents in other by-election areas, including Malava. Seth Panyako, the Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–K) candidate in Malava, broke down in tears while casting his vote on Thursday. Panyako cited threats to his life, attacks on his hotel, and efforts to manipulate the election as reasons for his distress.

Panyako said intelligence suggested that government-linked actors, working with criminals, planned to attack the Down Hill Hotel, where he and his wife were staying. DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa said armed goons linked to the ruling party had attacked Panyako’s hotel, forcing him to escape on a motorbike while his vehicles were damaged.