The Homa Bay County government has refuted allegations that its enforcement officers were involved in politically motivated attacks in Kasipul Constituency, incidents which left several residents maimed or even killed. The denial follows widespread claims by victims and community members that county officers played a key role in these violent confrontations, many of which reportedly occurred during funerals.
The county administration maintains that its officers are well-trained and disciplined professionals who operate with a high level of civility. It stressed that these officers are not deployed for political purposes and do not participate in local political rivalries. The administration asserted that any claim suggesting otherwise is unfounded and unfairly tarnishes the image of the enforcement directorate.
Despite the county’s firm stance, several residents in Kasipul insist they were victims of brutality meted out by individuals they could clearly identify as county enforcement officers. The attacks are said to have occurred during the tenure of the late Kasipul MP, who passed away in late April 2025.
According to multiple testimonies from victims, the late MP often attended funerals accompanied by groups of men widely perceived to be enforcement officers. These groups allegedly acted as political enforcers, targeting individuals believed to be opposed to the MP’s leadership.
One victim recounted how he was attacked while mourning a deceased relative. He described being seated near the coffin when the MP arrived with his entourage. What followed, he said, was a brutal assault that left him with a serious head injury inflicted by one of the men, whom he claims was a known enforcement officer. The victim expressed frustration that these officers, who should be upholding the law, were allegedly used as instruments of political violence.
However, these claims have been strongly denied not only by the county administration but also by close relatives of the late legislator. A family member dismissed the accusations as baseless, arguing that the MP had already left the scene by the time any alleged violence took place. He questioned the credibility of the statements made by the victims and suggested that unnamed individuals, not linked to the MP or the county government, may have been responsible for the chaos.
He further noted that no formal charges had ever been filed against the MP in connection with any of the violence, challenging critics to explain why no legal action was taken if there was credible evidence linking the legislator to such incidents. This, he suggested, casts doubt on the allegations being made posthumously.
One victim admitted that while he had previously held the MP responsible for his injuries, he was shocked by the MP’s sudden and violent death. He said he had hoped to challenge the MP democratically in the 2027 general elections and had not anticipated that the situation would escalate to such a fatal outcome.
The late MP was fatally shot on April 30, 2025, in an incident that has since led to the arrest and questioning of several individuals suspected of involvement. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have yet to release conclusive findings on whether the violence in Kasipul had any direct link to the MP’s political activities or to county enforcement personnel.
As the probe continues, residents of Kasipul remain divided, with some calling for justice and accountability, while others urge for peace and reconciliation in the wake of the tragic loss and the unrest that has plagued the constituency.
