By Anderson Ojwang
Former ODM national chairman John Mbadi has claimed he had a troubling dream in which the late Raila Odinga expressed bitterness over Kasipul voters allegedly rejecting ODM candidate Boyd Were in favour of independent candidate Philip Aroko.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Kasipul on Friday, Mbadi, who is now the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and Economic Planning, narrated the dream in Dholuo:
“Aleko didek. Kalek chanda. Kaom ni anindo to Raila ema aneno. Raila yuakna ni Mbadi ne achiegni donje e polo. To ka ahango ni adonj e polo to malaika riemba ni Raila in gi mirima ma ng’eny…”
(I dreamt three times and could not sleep. Whenever I tried to sleep, Raila would appear. I saw him crying, saying he was about to enter heaven but was stopped by angels for carrying deep bitterness. I asked him what was wrong, even though we gave him a befitting burial. He said the people of Kasipul had turned against him by rejecting Boyd Were and supporting an independent candidate.)
Mbadi told residents that the alleged betrayal could cost the constituency politically if ODM’s candidate is not elected.
His remarks came as Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga intensified door-to-door campaigns for Philip Aroko, insisting he will not succumb to intimidation or blackmail to support Boyd Were.
Magwanga accused ODM leaders of disrespect, saying he had faced hostility for not backing Were.
“These people returned my contribution for the late Were Ong’ondo’s funeral. They even warned me not to attend the burial. They have insulted me in front of my children. How then do they expect me to support their candidate?” he said.
Magwanga added that a day before the ODM rally in Kasipul—attended by party leader Dr. Oburu Odinga—he had already informed the Siaya Senator of his position, and the two had agreed.
“A day before the Kasipul rally, I was with Oburu in Rongo and explained why I would not attend. He understood. So when some people resort to intimidation and blackmail, they are playing with fire,” he warned.
During the ODM rally, Homa Bay County Assembly Majority Leader demanded that Magwanga campaign for Were or face political consequences.
“The deputy governor has frustrated the governor. We don’t understand why he cannot come out to support Were. We are putting him on notice,” he said.
Most Homa Bay MPs have kept off the ground amid claims that Governor Wanga is grooming candidates to challenge them in 2027. Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma has been consistently campaigning for Were, and Senator Moses Kajwang joined the trail on Saturday.
IEBC Fines Candidates KSh1 Million Each Over Violence
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recently reprimanded the Homa Bay County Government for alleged interference in Kasipul political activities, including using public resources and involving civil servants in campaigns.
IEBC also found both Boyd Were (ODM) and Philip Aroko (Independent) culpable for violence experienced in Kasipul during campaigns, fining each KSh1 million to be paid within 48 hours.
“Both candidates are responsible for the violence witnessed in Kasipul. They violated several clauses of the Electoral Code of Conduct,” the committee said.
The committee further warned that repeated violations could lead to disqualification from the November 27 by-election.
It was also revealed that intelligence reports confirmed involvement of Homa Bay County Government officials and public resources in the campaigns, contrary to the Election Offences Act.
The Commission expressed alarm over deaths, injuries, and property damage arising from the campaign chaos.
Both candidates have been ordered to publicly sign the Political Decency Charter and commit to peaceful campaigns.
