Kasipul Assistant Chief Suspended After Political Clash Leaves Two Dead

An assistant chief in Kasipul has been suspended after a meeting at his home involving rival campaign teams turned violent, leaving two people dead and several others injured.

Authorities say the officer is under investigation for allegedly breaching rules on political neutrality and for his possible involvement in the clashes. The violence broke out after he hosted supporters of ODM candidate Boyd Were and independent candidate Philip Aroko in what was expected to be a discussion aimed at easing rising tensions ahead of the parliamentary by-election. 

Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koime confirmed the suspension and said investigators are examining whether the officer played any role beyond providing the venue. Residents have offered conflicting accounts of the meeting. Some say the assistant chief was attempting to mediate between the two groups, while others claim he favoured one side and used the gathering to facilitate an attack. 

The uncertainty has deepened mistrust among supporters in a constituency already facing sharp political divisions. Boyd Were has accused his rival’s camp of planning the assault, while Aroko has blamed Boyd’s team, with both sides seeking to distance themselves from responsibility for the killings.

Tensions escalated further on 13 November when officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation were injured during a confrontation with armed suspects linked to the earlier incident in Opondo. Police had followed intelligence leads to Kosele Trading Centre, but the suspects fled to the homestead of the late former MP Ong’ondo Were in Kachien Village, where they ambushed the officers.

Among the injured was Rachuonyo South Sub-County DCI boss Daniel Muhuhi. The series of violent incidents has highlighted the challenges of managing elections in areas where political loyalties are closely tied to local leadership structures. 

Despite efforts by ODM officials and security agencies to calm the situation, campaign activities in Kasipul have continued to face disruptions.