Police in Homa Bay County are investigating a suspended assistant chief over his alleged involvement in violence linked to the Kasipul parliamentary by-election. The assistant chief was suspended after reportedly hosting rival groups at his home, a meeting that escalated into deadly clashes.
The confrontation involved supporters of ODM candidate Boyd Were and independent candidate Philip Aroko, leaving two people dead and several others injured. Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koime confirmed that investigations into the public officer’s role were ongoing, with further action to follow if he is found complicit.
“An administrative action has been taken against the assistant chief because the two young men were killed in his homestead. We are investigating him to find out if he participated in the murders,” Koime stated.
Reports suggest the assistant chief may have been attempting to broker peace amid rising political tensions. However, some residents claim he could have been allied to one of the candidates, raising suspicions that the meeting was used to orchestrate attacks against rival supporters.
The clashes occurred on November 6, with Boyd Were accusing his opponent of instigating the violence. In response, Philip Aroko blamed Boyd’s security team for the attacks in Central Kasipul, where at least one resident was killed, and others critically injured.
Tensions escalated further on November 13 when officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), including Rachuonyo South Sub-County DCI boss Daniel Muhuhi, were injured in a violent confrontation with armed suspects linked to the killings. The officers had been tracking suspects to Kosele Trading Centre but were ambushed at the late former MP Ong’ondo Were’s homestead.
With the Kasipul by-election scheduled for November 27, political campaigns have been marked by rising violence and unrest, despite repeated calls from ODM and law enforcement to maintain peace. Authorities continue to appeal for calm as investigations into the killings and ongoing security threats unfold.
