ODM Condemns Rising Violence in Kasipul By-Election Campaigns
ODM appealed to all aspirants and their supporters to be peaceful, tolerate the competition, and avoid inflammatory remarks that may trigger conflict.
The ODM leadership has called on the police and other relevant security agencies to act swiftly and decisively by arresting and prosecuting those behind the attacks, including their financiers. Photo/Courtesy.
By Phanice Rono
The Orange Democratic Movement Party has condemned the wave of violence sweeping Kasipul Constituency in the lead-up to the November 27 by-election. The party has called upon security agencies and the IEBC to move with speed and restore calm, ensuring a peaceful, free, and transparent election process.
In a statement signed by ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, the party condemned the violent incident which occurred on Thursday, in which supporters believed to be from a rival faction forcefully disrupted a campaign event organized by ODM’s candidate, Boyd Were.
The attackers, according to Governor Wanga, stormed the venue, destroying property and attacking residents, leaving some dead and several injured. The violent disruption has left the community in fear, threatening the peace and unity of the region.
“This was not an isolated case,” said Wanga, recalling an earlier confrontation during a Women Empowerment Programme in Sikri where vehicles belonging to ODM supporters were vandalized and several women assaulted. She emphasized that such incidents are part of a disturbing trend meant to instill fear among voters.
“ODM will not be cowed or silenced by those who seek to undermine democracy through chaos,” Wanga said. “The people of Kasipul have a constitutional right to elect their leader in an environment free from intimidation, coercion, and violence.”
The ODM leadership has called on the police and other relevant security agencies to act swiftly and decisively by arresting and prosecuting those behind the attacks, including their financiers. The party also urged the IEBC to ensure that all candidates are accorded equal treatment and that the electoral environment remains neutral and transparent.
In addition, ODM appealed to all aspirants and their supporters to be peaceful, tolerate the competition, and avoid inflammatory remarks that may trigger conflict. “Leaders must lead by example. Elections are not a matter of life and death — they are about giving people the power to choose,” Wanga added.
The by-election in Kasipul has been awash with heated political activities with rival camps engaging in accusations as the deadline for campaigns closes in. Meanwhile, Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrance Koilem confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. He assured residents that police officers have been deployed to maintain order and ensure justice is served. “The culprits will face the full force of the law,” Koilem said while reiterating that security agencies are committed to ensuring a safe and peaceful election process in Kasipul.
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