Security officers in Homa Bay County have held an emergency meeting with candidates contesting in the Kasipul parliamentary by-election following violent clashes that claimed two lives on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

The incident, which occurred after supporters of rival camps clashed, has left the region tense and sparked urgent calls for calm and unity among the candidates.

The two men were hacked to death with machetes when chaos erupted between supporters of independent candidate Philip Aroko and ODM’s Boyd Were during a campaign rally.

This comes after UPA candidate Otiende claimed he was attacked.

In a crisis meeting convened by the county security team on Friday, November 7, 2025, the two candidates were urged to tone down their rhetoric and preach peace ahead of the by-election. Speaking after the meeting, community leaders and police officials emphasised that no political ambition should cost lives.

Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi said both camps had agreed to embrace peace and ensure that the campaigns continue without further violence.

“Politics is not a matter of life and death. That is what we have agreed, and we want peace,” Mwiwawi stated.

Boyd and Aroko pledge to tone down

Independent candidate Philip Aroko also called for calm, saying his team was committed to peaceful elections and extending goodwill to his competitor.

“Boyd is my brother, and we are not intending in any way to make things that are not possible for him not to be a member of Parliament. If he beats me, I will support him, that is 100 per cent. We also talked about peace, peace will prevail, and I am not intending to make any harm to anybody,” Aroko said.

His ODM rival Boyd Were condemned the violence and sent his condolences to the bereaved families.

“Let me condemn the acts of violence we witnessed yesterday in Kasipul. It is so unfortunate, and I would like to pass my sincere message of condolences to the two families who lost their loved ones. It is very, very unfortunate,” he said.

Police have since launched investigations into the incident and increased patrols in the area to prevent further unrest as campaigns continue.

Also watch: PS Raymond Omollo assures maximum security ahead of Kasipul and nationwide by-elections.

IEBC condemns violence

Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has condemned the incident, stating that a team of detectives has been deployed to the area to establish what transpired.

“The Commission wishes to remind political parties, their members, candidates, and all persons involved in the electoral process that they all must, without exception, strictly observe the Electoral Code of Conduct as provided under the Second Schedule to the Elections Act, 2011. The Code requires all participants to uphold peace, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law during the electoral period,” IEBC’s statement read in part.

“Non-adherence to the Code attracts serious penal consequences, including disqualification of candidates or parties found culpable. In this regard, the Commission has dispatched an investigation team with clear instructions to establish the facts and recommend appropriate action in line with the Electoral Code of Conduct and must be met with firm and lawful response.”