Two lives have been lost and several people are nursing injuries after violence broke out during a campaign rally in Kasipul, Homa Bay County.
The chaos, which happened on Thursday afternoon, has once again raised concerns about political intolerance as the county prepares for the Kasipul parliamentary by-election.
Police have already opened investigations into the incident to determine the cause of the deadly confrontation.
The violence took place in the Opondo area of Central Kasipul Ward, where supporters of two candidates, independent aspirant Phillip Aroko and ODM’s Boyd Were, clashed.
Witnesses say tensions between the two groups had been rising for days as both camps intensified campaigns ahead of the November 27 by-election.
What was expected to be an ordinary rally quickly turned into a battlefield when members of Aroko’s camp allegedly disrupted Were’s meeting.
Shots were fired into the air, causing panic among locals who had attended the gathering.
County Police Commander Lawrance Koilem confirmed that the violence was triggered after Aroko’s supporters invaded Were’s campaign venue.
According to Koilem, the situation worsened after Were went to Oyugis Police Station to report the incident. In his absence, his supporters are said to have launched a retaliatory attack against Aroko’s group, resulting in the brutal killing of two young men aged 26, both believed to be part of Aroko’s campaign team.
Several others sustained injuries during the clashes and were taken to nearby health facilities for treatment.
Koilem assured the public that police are working to restore calm and ensure that those behind the violence are arrested.
He emphasized that the law will take its course and that no one involved in the chaos will be spared.
Security teams have been deployed across Kasipul to monitor political events and prevent further violence as campaigns continue.
Homa Bay Governor and ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga strongly condemned the incident, calling for immediate action from the police and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
She said political competition should never lead to the loss of life, urging candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns.
Wanga also reminded political players that the people of Kasipul deserve a fair and credible election free from intimidation or bloodshed.
The upcoming Kasipul by-election is to fill the seat left vacant after the shocking murder of the area’s former MP, Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Nairobi.
His death and the current violence have left residents anxious and calling for stronger security measures. Many now hope that justice for the slain youths and the late MP will be served, and that peace will prevail before the election day.
