4 Kasipul politicians facing uncertain times after Boyd Were’s by-election triumph
By Luke Oluoch, November 30, 2025As the dust settles after the conclusion of the Thursday, November 27, 2025, by-election across the country, political players in Kasipul have now been left to lick their wounds as others savour their success.
The victory makes him the youngest Member of Parliament in Kenya’s current Parliament. The people of Kasipul chose to keep the constituency’s leadership within the family of the late MP, Ong’ondo Were.
Boyd rose from relative obscurity after his father’s death to overcome significant challenges that included wading through the volatile political environment to clinch the seat.
His candidacy initially divided opinions, with many questioning the decision to field a young man with limited political experience. However, fierce critics soon fell silent after he comfortably won the ODM nomination, defeating several aspirants.
Among those now left embarrassed by the outcome are
Odoyo Owidi
The outspoken political commentator and fierce critic of Governor Gladys Wanga and, by extension, Boyd Were, also ranks high among those confounded by Were’s victory. Mwalimu led a vocal campaign against the young candidate’s nomination.
He repeatedly questioned ODM’s choice and famously declared during a podcast appearance that there is no way a 27-year-old will become Kasipul MP.
“It will not happen,” he roared. His strong words and convictions have now backfired and come to bite him.
Oyugi Magwanga
Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga made a last-minute gamble by openly defying the ODM party line to support independent candidate Philip Aroko.
With a history of rivalry with the late Charles Ong’ondo dating back to when the slain politician dethroned him, Magwanga has seemingly not buried the political hatchet with the Weres. If his last-minute switch of allegiance was anything to go by.
The former Kasipul MP’s gamble failed when Aroko lost, with his next political manoeuvre remaining something that many are eager to watch. Already, his close associates have signalled his likelihood to face off against her boss in the 2027 elections.
With Governor Gladys Wanga recently warning that those unwilling to work alongside her for the country must ship out, Magwanga now faces an uncertain political future.
Unlike Aroko, who avoided entirely contesting the ODM primaries for reasons best known to him, Newton Ogada braved the rigorous process but later opted to decamp in support of Aroko.
Newton Ogada
During the friendly fire of primary elections, he scooped 3,037 votes, coming a distant second to Were, who secured 18,210 votes.
His decision to ‘bolt out’ of the party and endorse Aroko, however, shocked many within the Orange party.
The election of Boyd has since thrown his political future into limbo, as he could perhaps be among those considered for a lucrative role in the young MP’s new administration.
Just like any other by-election, in Kasipul, the mini-polls came with their own implications, and it remains to be seen how they impact the future of the aforementioned politicians.
Also Read: Aroko hints at future bid for Kasipul seat after by-election defeat to Boyd Were