Tension flared at the Agoro Sare polling centre in Kasipul on Thursday, November 27, after Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was violently attacked while accompanying ODM candidate Boyd Were during the by-elections.
According to eyewitness accounts and emerging media reports, a group of unidentified goons confronted Kaluma moments after his arrival, sparking chaos that quickly disrupted the voting atmosphere. In the fracas, the MP’s bodyguard reportedly lost his firearm, escalating fears over the safety of voters and officials at the centre.
A visibly injured Kaluma—bleeding from the head, with blood trickling down his neck and chest—was whisked away as supporters tried to shield him from further assault.
Kaluma squarely blamed Independent candidate Philip Aroko, accusing his supporters of orchestrating the attack to intimidate voters and derail the electoral process.
“They are small people we would have fought them back, but don’t fight them because that is what they want. They don’t want people to come to vote,” Kaluma told journalists after the incident.
Earlier, the MP had warned of “imported violence” in Kasipul, urging residents to turn out in large numbers despite rising hostility.
“Any tension would work against us by suppressing the votes. I urge everyone to come out and vote. There will be no interference,” he assured.
Meanwhile in Malava, the political temperature was equally high as voters lined up to cast their ballots. UDA candidate David Ndakwa accused rival camps of persistent provocation throughout the campaign period—provocation he insists he has deliberately refused to respond to.
“There has been a lot of abuses from my opponents, even fights, but I’ve restrained myself. They’ve attacked my colleagues—MCAs, MPs—but I’ve told them not to retaliate,” Ndakwa said after voting.
He emphasized that his calm posture is rooted in a desire to show leadership and protect the public from unnecessary confrontation.
“I don’t have to let the people bleed for me to lead. I’ve been provoked a lot, but for me, I’ve stood for peace all through.”
The IEBC continues to monitor incidents in both constituencies as by-elections unfold across the country, with security agencies now under pressure to guarantee safe and credible voting.
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