IEBC Fines Kasipul By-Election Candidates KSh1 Million Each Over Campaign Violence

IEBC Commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana(left) addresses the media on the Kasipul by-election violence case in Nairobi on November 19, 2025.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee has fined two Kasipul parliamentary by-election candidates KSh1 million each after finding them responsible for violence that left two people dead and several others injured on November 6.

Announcing the decision, Committee Chairperson Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana said the Commission established that Independent candidate Philip Aroko and ODM’s Boyd Were violated the Electoral Code of Conduct by disregarding the agreed campaign schedule and failing to restrain their supporters.

“The Committee finds that the failure by the two candidates to adhere to the campaign schedule resulted in the violence, deaths and destruction of property witnessed on 6 November 2025,” Dr. Mukhwana said.

He explained that both candidates converged in Okondo area without authorisation, triggering violent clashes between their supporters.

“Investigations confirmed that neither campaign was scheduled to be in the Okondo area on that day, yet both converged there without authorisation, triggering clashes between their supporters,” he said.


Dr. Mukhwana said the Elections Act requires all political actors to actively prevent violence, avoid inflammatory actions, and safeguard the safety of voters and election officials.

“All political actors must actively prevent violence, avoid inflammatory actions, and safeguard the safety of voters and election officials, as required under the Elections Act,” he said.

He added that intelligence reports indicated interference by certain Homa Bay County officials, terming it a violation of election laws governing the use of public resources.

Under the decision, the Commission ordered each candidate to pay a fine of KSh1 million within 48 hours and strictly follow the harmonised campaign schedule ahead of the November 27 by-election.

“Should any violation of the Code be repeated by any of them, this Committee will consider all penalties under the law, including disqualification from participating in the November 2025 election,” he warned.

The Commission also directed the two aspirants to sign the Political Decency and Peace Charter, committing them publicly to uphold peaceful and responsible campaigns.

Following the ruling, Independent candidate Philip Aroko said he accepted the Committee’s verdict and reaffirmed his commitment to a peaceful campaign atmosphere.

“I have signed the Political Decency and Peace Charter bearing in mind that if I do anything contrary, the consequences will fall on me,” Aroko said.

He urged his supporters to maintain calm as the election nears, emphasising that the constituency has experienced past tensions that require responsible leadership.

“I urge my supporters to remain peaceful and allow the process to move smoothly,” he added.

He further stated that stability in Kasipul would enable voters to freely express their will at the ballot.

On his part, ODM candidate Boyd Were acknowledged the ruling, although he noted that some intelligence files referenced during the determination were not initially provided to his legal team.

“I respect the decision of the Committee, but I will seek further guidance on the parts of the report that were not served to us,” Were said.

He emphasised that signing the Peace Charter was not an admission of guilt but a demonstration of his commitment to ensuring peaceful campaigns within the constituency.

“Signing the Peace Charter is not an admission of guilt but demonstrates my commitment to ensuring peaceful campaigns within the constituency,” he said.

Were appealed to residents and fellow aspirants to conduct themselves responsibly as the poll approaches.

“Let us maintain peace. It’s only one week to the by-election, and at the end of the day the people of Kasipul will choose their member of parliament,” he said.

Dr. Mukhwana concluded by reminding all political players that voters must be allowed to participate freely and without fear, and that election officials must be protected as they discharge their duties.

The Kasipul parliamentary by-election is scheduled for November 27, 2025.