The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has imposed a Ksh.1 million fine on two Kasipul parliamentary by-election candidates after clashes between their supporters left two people dead.
According to IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana, independent candidate Phillip Aroko and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Boyd Were were found culpable of breaching the electoral code of conduct during a violent confrontation on November 6, 2025, in the Opondo area of Central Kasipul Ward.
What Led to the Violence
IEBC investigations revealed that both candidates violated the harmonized campaign schedule by holding activities in the same area on a day they were not authorized to campaign there.
The violence erupted after Aroko and his supporters allegedly stormed Were’s campaign venue, firing shots into the air and triggering panic. As Were headed to Oyugis Police Station to report the incident, his supporters launched retaliatory attacks, resulting in the fatal hacking of two of Aroko’s supporters, both aged 26.
Commissioner Mukhwana, who chairs the IEBC Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, noted that both parties carried and displayed weapons during the clashes an outright violation of electoral guidelines.
IEBC’s Final Ruling
The commission determined that both candidates failed to:
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Respect the harmonized campaign timetable
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Cooperate in good faith to avoid parallel events
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Restrain their supporters from violent behavior
As a result, each was slapped with a Ksh.1 million fine payable within 48 hours. IEBC further warned that any repeat of violence will lead to automatic disqualification from the November 27 by-election.
“This ruling should serve as a clear warning,” said Mukhwana. “Children must be safe, and voters both women, men, youth, and the elderly,must walk to polling stations without fear of being harmed.”
Candidates Commit to Peace
Following the ruling, both Aroko and Were signed the Political Decency Charter, pledging peaceful conduct throughout the campaign period.
Aroko emphasized his commitment to nonviolence, stating, “I have been peaceful since I started this campaign in 2023, and I will keep it peaceful.”
Were echoed the same sentiment: “I reaffirm my commitment to peace in Kasipul. Let us maintain peace and embrace each other.”
Background of the By-Election
The Kasipul parliamentary seat became vacant following the mysterious murder of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Nairobi on April 30.
