By James Okoth
Two young men now lie lifeless at the Rachuonyo Subcounty Mortuary, victims of a senseless political clash that has left Kasipul reeling. What should have been a simple democratic exercise has instead reopened deep wounds in a nation still haunted by electoral bloodshed.
As police investigations continue, the Church has spoken in one unwavering voice, condemning the killings in the strongest terms possible and calling the country to order.
“Given the dark past in which lives have been lost during electioneering periods, I thought we had learnt as a community to shun violence and embrace peaceful elections,” said Cardinal Rev. Moses Tedy Oketch, of Nomiya Church Kenya.
“This is what is least expected of us and yet here we are again, mourning sons whose only crime was political passion.”
‘If Death Visits a By-Election, What of a General Poll?’
The cardinal’s words cut deep as he questioned the nation’s moral compass.
“If this is just a by-election where the winner will serve barely two years, and already two deaths are witnessed, what will happen when such a leader seeks a full term?” he posed. “We have lost our way if leadership must now be baptized in blood.”
Cardinal Oketch urged political parties, their supporters and the electoral commission to uphold peace and dignity, reminding Kenyans that the cost of violence far outweighs any political prize.
“Let us go back to our knees,” he said solemnly. “Pray to God, for whoever He wills to lead will lead us. As the Church, we plead with the people of Kasipul to restrain themselves, to conduct a peaceful poll and to remember that beyond this election, we must continue to live as brothers and sisters.”
The Church’s Collective Outcry
Cardinal Oketch’s call has resonated widely across denominations, sparking a collective outcry from other senior clergy.
Among them are Bishop Charles K’Okombo, National Treasurer of the Full Gospel Churches of Kenya and Bishop Syprian Mwalo Kodieny, who both condemned the killings and urged restraint among the youth.
“We are seeing a worrying rise in political arrogance and intolerance,” Bishop K’Okombo warned. “Peace is divine, yet many only recognise its value once it’s gone. Kasipul must lead by example, not by blood.”
Bishop Sypria Kodieny of Mt. Moriah International Ministries also cautioned young people against being used as political pawns, warning that high-adrenaline campaigns often end in grief and shame.
“No politician’s ambition is worth a single life,” she said. “If we do not change course, death will become a regular guest at our rallies and that would be an unforgivable stain on our democracy.”
The Contest to Succeed Ong’ondo Were
The late Charles Ong’ondo Were, remembered for his loyalty to ODM party and firm leadership, left a seat that has since drawn ten aspirants, each promising a redefine Kasipul’s political direction.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the following candidates have been cleared to contest in the Kasipul by-election set for November 27, 2025:
- Boyd Were – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
- Philip Nashon Aroko – Independent
- Robert “Money Bior” Riaga Ajwang – Independent
- Linda Aoko Ouma – Independent
- Isaac Kiche Abok – Kenya Moral Movement (KMM)
- Omondi Ko’yoo – National Liberal Party (NLP)
- Sam Rateng Okoth – United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
- Collins Okeyo – Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG)
- Rateng’ Okoth Kotiende – Party not listed
- Jesse Okello – Party not listed
The race is expected to test ODM’s traditional dominance in Homa Bay, especially after Boyd Were, son of the slain MP, clinched the party’s nomination against seasoned rivals. Several independent candidates, meanwhile, have vowed to “rescue Kasipul from inherited politics,” setting up a heated yet unpredictable contest.
A Nation Standing at the Crossroads
The Kasipul by-election was meant to be a test of maturity. A small local contest to fill a vacant seat, yet the bloodshed that erupted has once again exposed Kenya’s deep political fault lines.
Religious leaders now warn that if such trends persist, the nation risks losing its moral legitimacy at the ballot.
“We cannot keep burying our children in the name of democracy,” Cardinal Oketch said. “Let us restore decency to our politics, for no ballot paper is worth a coffin.”
He appealed to security agencies and the IEBC to ensure that order is maintained across all regions preparing for by-elections.
“Life is sacred,” he concluded. “God will punish those who shed innocent blood. Let the people of Kasipul choose their leader in peace and may that peace prevail across our land.”
The bloodshed in Kasipul is not just a local tragedy; it is a sobering reminder of Kenya’s recurring electoral nightmare. The voices from the pulpit are not merely calls for calm. They are calls for conscience.
Until leaders, followers and institutions alike begin to treat peace as sacred and life as inviolable, every campaign season will remain one heartbreak away from another funeral procession.
