Kasipul race: Tight security amid fears of violence during voting

Authorities were on Wednesday,scratching their heads as they pieced together a security arrangement to secure the by-election in the volatile Kasipul Constituency.

This comes as residents prepared to cast their ballots for their new MP today following the death of former MP Ong’ondo Were, who was murdered in cold blood in April.

There are fears that some politicians were planning to disrupt the poll by ferrying goons to attack voters as part of a strategy to disadvantage their opponents.

The Standard established that droves of police officers have been deployed to provide security after a chaotic campaign period that resulted in three fatalities and several injuries. The government has warned violators of the law will face terrorism charges amid heavy deployment of police officers and covert intelligence to avert chaos.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen dared anyone to create a hostile environment that could bar residents from casting their ballot, saying they will be dealt with by the law. The constituency is among the hotspots and has experienced instances of violence that left two people dead and scores injured during the short campaign period in the hotly contested poll.

Speaking at Kosele in Kasipul Constituency during inspection of the security situation in the area ahead of the mini polls in the area, Murkomen said they had received intelligence that a number of politicians were planning to import goons from other counties to disrupt voting in certain electoral areas.

However, questions remained as to why authorities were yet to act on the intelligence and arrest the alleged planners of the violence. Police believe there are plans to transport goons from Kisumu, Nairobi, and other counties to disrupt the elections in Kasipul.

“I maintain my stand that anybody who commits violence with the intention of creating fear to prevent voters from voting is a potential terrorist. That person will be arrested and charged with terrorism,” Murkomen said.

He warned the candidates against using goons to protect their votes in polling stations or tallying centres during the by-election on Thursday.

Instead, security in the by-election is going to be manned by the National Police Service. He said the government had deployed adequate security officers to man the election.

“There is no civilian given the mandate of protecting votes. Let any candidate avoid using goons in the name of protecting their votes. The National Police Service will do it on their behalf and on behalf of all voters,” Murkomen said.

He warned against loitering at polling stations during the exercise. The Standard established that senior ODM officials have planned to inspect the exercise across polling stations and act as agents for their candidate Boyd Were.

The race has attracted ten candidates who will be battling for a share of the 67,513 votes. The contenders include Abok Isaac Kiche (Kenya Moja Movement), Aroko Philip Nashon (Independent), Bior Robert Money (Independent), Kotiende Sam Rateng Okoth (United Progressive Alliance), Okello Jesse Samson Owen (Democratic National Alliance), Omondi Collins Okeyo (Movement for Democracy and Growth), and Boyd Were (Orange Democratic Movement).

Others are Oyoo Ishmael Omondi (National Liberal Party), Ouma Jeazmen Linda Aoko (Independent), and Ouma Robert Ouko (Labour Party of Kenya).

Votes are distributed across five wards: East Kamagak, West Kamagak, Central Kasipul, South Kasipul, and West Kasipul. The ongoing voter registration has not occurred in Kasipul due to the by-election.

The winner will represent over 130,000 residents. According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, Rachuonyo South Sub-county (Kasipul Constituency) had 130,814 people. 

Kasipul, in eastern Homa Bay County, was carved from Kasipul Kabondo in 2013. Its first MP was Oyugi Magwanga, now Deputy Governor of Homa Bay. Were, the second MP, had nicknamed himself “Were Milele na Milele” (Were Forever) before his untimely death.

Kasipul is predominantly agricultural, producing maize, beans, sunflowers, sorghum, millet, avocado, and mangoes.

Resident Collins Otieno hopes the incoming MP will support agriculture, noting, “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and we need leadership that promotes it locally and nationally.”

The ODM party, led by party chairperson Gladys Wanga has been burning the midnight oil to deliver the crucial constituency where the Orange party is facing intense competition from Independent Candidate Philip Aroko.