Kasipul by-election aspirants Phillip Aroko and Boyd Were fined Ksh.1M for deadly clashes

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fined two Kasipul parliamentary by-election candidates Ksh.1 million each, after they were held responsible for clashes between their supporters, which led to the death of two people.

IEBC commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana, said that independent candidate Phillip Aroko and ODM’s Boyd Were breached the electoral code of conduct by flaunting the harmonized campaign schedule that led to the violence and loss of lives.

The clash occurred on November 6, 2025, at Opondo area in Central Kasipul Ward, after Aroko and his supporters allegedly stormed Were’s campaign venue and fired shots into the air, sparking panic and violence.

As Were went to report the incident at Oyugis Police Station, his supporters retaliated against Aroko’s team, leading to the fatal hacking of two Aroko's supporters aged 26.

Commissioner Mukhwana, also Chair Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, said that the two parties filed a complaint, which prompted a probe.

The commission's findings revealed that both parties agree they were not meant to be campaigning in that area on the day of violence.

"This position was further confirmed by the returning officer that both parties were not permitted to be at Opondo area," noted Mukhwana, adding that arms and weapons were carried and displayed in the campaign rallies..

"They failed to cooperate with each other in good faith to avoid organizing public meetings and demonstrations to happen at the same time. They failed to take reasonable steps to restrain their followers."

The two were therefore ordered to pay the fine to IEBC within the next 48 hours and will suffer disqualification from participating in the November 27 by-elections if the chaos recurs.

Commissioner Mukhwana maintained that every candidate must uphold peace and any violation of the electoral code of conduct will be dealt with by law.

"What this committee has rendered today ought to serve as a clear warning to all participants in Kasipul and other areas that children must be safe where the violence is being caused, that women, youth and elderly must stride into polling centres without the fear that a machete will hack their head," Mukhwana noted.

The two candidates later signed the Political Decency Charter to declare to uphold peace and tolerance in their campaigns.

"I want to state that I have been a peaceful man since I started this campaign in 2023, so I will still keep it peaceful. I have signed the document bearing in mind that if I do anything that is opposite the circumstances will not be favouring but I don't fear because I know I will keep it peaceful," Aroko noted.

On his part, Were said: "I want to reaffirm my commitment to advocating for peace in Kasipul. I urge all residents of Kasipul, let us maintain peace and embrace each other."

The coveted seat fell vacant following the mysterious murder of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Nairobi on April 30.