Businessman and politician Philip Aroko has called on defeated aspirants in the Kasipul Kabondo by-election under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to rally behind his candidacy in the contest against the party’s official candidate, Boyd Were.

In a statement released on Sunday, September 28, 2025, the parliamentary hopeful urged ODM’s former rivals to form a united front with him, arguing that this was the only way to defeat what he termed as external forces being imposed on Kasipul residents.

Aroko acknowledged the difficulties all aspirants have faced since the race to replace the late Ongondo Were, who was murdered in May, began.

Also watch: ODM aspirants decry bias in Kasipul primaries

He noted that the contest had been marred with numerous hurdles for all players, regardless of their political affiliation.

“Since the journey to replace our late MP began, Kasipul has had its fair share of ups and downs. “It has been a bumpy ride for all the political players, irrespective of the parties they stood for,” he said.

The politician further accused ODM of attempting to impose a leader on the constituency, urging fellow aspirants to resist such efforts through unity.

“It’s in that line that I take this earnest initiative to pen this message to all other aspirants, urging all of us to join forces in a united front to challenge and defeat the external powers hell-bent on forcing a leader down our throats,” Aroko stated.

Proposed alliance

According to him, the proposed alliance would not be about one candidate, slogan, party, or symbol, but about offering the people of Kasipul genuine leadership that listens, represents, and delivers.

Aroko, who deliberately chose not to vie for the ODM ticket, described himself as the leading front-runner and appealed to the defeated aspirants within ODM to throw their support behind him.

He also extended his call to the business community, urging them to rally behind his campaign to ensure a spirited and well-resourced contest.

“As a leading front-runner, I urge all the supporters of my worthy competitors and the business community to rally behind my endeavours in putting up spirited campaigns guaranteed of victory at the ballot,” he said.

“I am more than prepared. I won’t let you down; I won’t relent, for I know with the full backing of such an influential faction, success is imminent.”

Kasipul odm primaries

These come days after the just-concluded ODM primaries in Kasipul Kabondo, which saw Boyd Were, who secured 18,210 votes, far ahead of his closest rival Newton Ogada, who scooped 3,037 votes, with the remaining contenders failing to surpass 1,000 votes.