Homa Bay politics has been thrown into fresh turmoil after Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga dramatically endorsed independent candidate Philip Aroko—a major snub to the ODM Party’s official flagbearer, Boyd Were Ong’ondo, ahead of the tense Kasipul parliamentary by-election.
The surprise announcement made on Friday, November 21, has split opinion across the constituency and ignited a fierce debate on loyalty, party democracy, and the future of ODM dominance in the region.
Magwanga, long considered one of ODM’s most steadfast lieutenants, said his decision was driven by “deep concerns” over how the party conducted its nominations—an issue that many residents say has been brewing beneath the surface for months.
A vocal group of residents welcomed Magwanga’s switch, accusing ODM of sidelining him during the nomination process.
“Magwanga has made the best choice… ODM betrayed him. When we were going for nominations, they rigged in favour of a candidate he did not support. If the elections were free and fair, Magwanga would have backed the winner. Magwanga is more ODM than Gladys Wanga,” one supporter said.
Another resident insisted that the constituency must prioritise quality leadership over party loyalty.
“Everyone has a right to support a candidate they believe in. We should not be told who to vote for. We want good leadership, not a party label,” she said.
The endorsement comes at a critical time, with the constituency already reeling from heightened tensions, violent confrontations, and allegations of political interference.
Just days before Magwanga’s political bombshell, both Philip Aroko and Boyd Were were slapped with Ksh1 million fines each by the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee.
The ruling—issued on Wednesday, November 19—followed a heated hearing in which both sides were accused of fuelling violence during campaign events.
The committee found both men guilty of violating multiple provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct, including incitement, disorderly behaviour, and failure to manage supporters.
“Both candidates are responsible for the violence witnessed in Kasipul,” the committee ruled, citing breaches across several paragraphs of the Code.
The IEBC ordered both candidates to pay the fines within 48 hours and issued a stern warning against any future violations. Any repeat offence, the committee cautioned, could trigger disqualification from the by-election.
Both camps were also reminded to strictly follow the joint harmonised campaign schedule agreed upon on October 10, without “any deviation whatsoever.”
Magwanga’s endorsement of Aroko is expected to dramatically shift the race, with some analysts predicting a wave of silent rebellion within ODM ranks. The deputy governor’s clout in Kasipul—combined with mounting voter frustration over perceived party interference—could make Aroko a formidable contender despite running as an independent.
With the by-election already marred by violence, fines, and fiery rhetoric, the coming days are expected to be even more unpredictable as alliances shift and campaigns scramble to regroup.
For now, Kasipul remains one of Kenya’s most watched and politically charged battlegrounds—where loyalty, leadership, and legitimacy are all on the ballot.
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