HOMA BAY, Kenya — The Kasipul parliamentary by-election has entered a volatile new phase after Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga broke ranks with his boss, Governor Gladys Wanga, and endorsed independent candidate Philip Aroko over the ODM Party’s flagbearer Boyd Were Ong’ondo.
Magwanga announced his decision on Friday, November 21, signalling a sharp divergence from the Orange Democratic Movement’s official position and triggering debate over internal party democracy and local political loyalties.
Residents interviewed in Kasipul described the endorsement as both significant and overdue, arguing that Magwanga’s move stemmed from deep dissatisfaction with the ODM nomination process.
Supporters insisted that the party “betrayed” the deputy governor by ignoring his preferred candidate during the primaries.
“Magwanga has made the best choice that he delayed making because he has to make a choice on who is the best candidate for Kasipul,” one supporter said, accusing ODM of rigging its nomination exercise. “He has not betrayed the ODM Party; it is the ODM Party that betrayed Magwanga. Magwanga is more ODM than Gladys Wanga.”
Another resident defended his right to support a candidate of choice, saying the constituency should prioritise leadership quality over party loyalty. “Everyone has a right to support a candidate they think is good. We are looking for good leadership; we are not looking for a party,” she said.
The endorsement comes amid heightened tension in Kasipul following violent clashes during campaign activities earlier in November. On Wednesday, November 19, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) fined both Aroko and Were Sh1 million each after finding them responsible for the unrest.
The IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee ruled that the two candidates breached multiple provisions of the electoral code, including those relating to incitement, disorderly conduct, and interference with peaceful campaigns.
“Upon keenly listening to the parties and considering all the facts and law, it is the committee’s finding that the two candidates in this matter are responsible for the violence witnessed in Kasipul constituency,” the panel stated.
The committee cited violations under Paragraph 6 (q), (b), (c), (e), (i), (k), (m), and (n) of the Electoral Code of Conduct and issued a stern warning to both men to strictly adhere to the harmonized campaign schedule agreed upon by all candidates on October 10.
Aroko and Were have been ordered to pay the fines within 48 hours, with the IEBC warning that any repeat offence could lead to far harsher consequences, including disqualification from the by-election.
“A most stern warning be and is hereby issued… that should any violation be repeated, this committee will consider all penalties under the law, including disqualification from participating,” the committee said.
The Kasipul by-election has attracted national attention as political alignments in the larger Nyanza region shift following the 2025 political realignments.
Magwanga’s move now places ODM on the defensive in a constituency long considered its stronghold, and the IEBC’s firm stance on enforcing electoral conduct sets a tense backdrop for the final campaign stretch ahead of the vote.
