By Anderson Ojwang
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has put the county government of Homa Bay County on the spot over interference in political activities in Kasipul Constituency and subsequent use of public resources and involvement of public officers in political campaigns.
And IEBC also blamed the escalating political violence in the constituency on ODM candidate Boyd Were and Philip Aroko, an independent candidate, and fined them Sh 1M each.
“Upon keenly listening to the parties and considering all the facts and law, it is the Committee’s finding that the two candidates in this matter are responsible for the violence witnessed in Kasipul Constituency.
In the context of both oral and written submission of the parties, the Committee finds that both candidates are in violation of paragraphs 6 (a) (b) (c) (e) (i) (k) (m) and (n) of the Electoral Code of Conduct,” read the statement.
Similarly, IEBC warned should any re-occurrence of violence in the constituency during the campaigns, the candidates risk disqualification.
“A most stern warning be and is hereby issued to both Candidates that should any violation of the Electoral Code be repeated by any of them, this Committee will consider all penalties under the law, including their DISQUALIFICATION from participating in the November 27th by-elections altogether,” read the statement.
The Committee also said investigations had revealed engagement of the county government, civil servants and use of public resources in the campaigns.
“This Committee is seized of intelligence reports corroborating the allegations of interference by the Homa Bay County Government in political activities within Kasipul Constituency.
The Committee condemns the use of public resources and involvement of public officers in political campaigns as this is in contravention of section 14 of the Election Offences Act, Cap 66,” read the press statement signed by all the commissioners.
The Committee also fined the two candidates Sh 1M each which must be paid within 48 hours.
“Mr. Philip Aroko, for the violation, is hereby condemned to pay a fine of Sh.1,000,000 to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission within 48hrs of these Orders.
Mr. Boyd Were Ong’ondo is condemned, similarly, for the violation, to pay a fine of Kenya Shillings One Million (Ksh.1,000,000,) to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission within 48hrs of these Orders,” read the statement.
The Committee was also appalled by the gravity of violence, deaths and damage to property caused by campaign-related activities within Kasipul Constituency.
“Astonishingly, when police officers attempted to arrest suspects in relation to the violence witnessed on 6th November 2025, the officers were attacked and the suspects freed by persons associated with one of the candidates,” read the statement.
The Committee said the candidates must ensure peaceful campaigns to allow the electoral process to remain a democratic space where all individuals can freely express their views and support candidates of their choice without fear of violence, harm, or loss of property.
“Respect for the sanctity of life demands that every leader takes responsibility in guiding their supporters to uphold peace and protect the rights of others.”
The candidates were expected to sign the Political Decency Charter publicly and declare, publicly before media, to uphold peace and tolerance in their campaigns, with a clear undertaking that reneging from it would amount to a violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
“A stern and a formal warning be and is hereby issued to Mr. Philip Aroko who is an independent candidate and Boyd Were in the upcoming by-elections for Kasipul Constituency to respect and obey IEBC’s harmonised campaign schedule as agreed upon by all candidates on 10th October, 2025 without any deviation whatsoever,” read the statement.
