An assistant chief has been suspended from public service after he was accused of taking part in the Kasipul parliamentary by-elections, an action that goes against the rules set out in the Constitution of Kenya.
His suspension followed reports that he had hosted two rival political camps at his home just a week earlier, an incident that later turned violent.
According to officials, the assistant chief is believed to have welcomed supporters of ODM candidate Boyd Were and those of independent candidate Philip Aroko to his residence.
The meeting, however, turned chaotic, resulting in clashes between the two sides. By the end of the confrontation, two people had lost their lives while several others were left with serious injuries, raising concerns about the rising political tension in the area.
Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koime confirmed that an inquiry into the officer’s conduct was already underway.
He noted that additional action would be taken based on the investigation’s findings. “An administrative action has been taken against the assistant chief because the two young men were killed in his homestead.
We are investigating him to find out if he participated in the murder of the two men,” Koime stated, emphasising that the officer’s involvement—whether direct or indirect—must be thoroughly examined.
While the exact reason for the meeting remains unclear, some reports indicate that the assistant chief may have been trying to bring peace between the rival camps following days of political tension.
However, other accounts paint a different picture, suggesting that the chief may have been quietly supporting one of the candidates and could have used the meeting as a cover to target supporters of the opposing side.
Residents further revealed that each group believed the gathering was arranged to favour their preferred candidate, creating suspicion and fear that contributed to the deadly confrontation.
The incident reportedly took place on November 6, with Boyd—son of the late Kasipul MP Charles Were—accusing his political competitor of planning and executing the attack.
In response, Aroko dismissed Boyd’s claims and instead blamed Boyd’s security team for the chaos witnessed in Central Kasipul.
According to Aroko, one resident was killed and several others suffered critical injuries during the clashes, which he insisted were caused by Boyd’s campaign operatives.
Officers Injured in Follow-Up Operation
Tensions flared even further on Thursday, November 13, when several officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were injured after being confronted by armed attackers in Kasipul. say the officers were carrying out a security operation aimed at capturing suspects linked to the killing of two youths in the Opondo area ahead of the November 27 parliamentary by-election.
Reports indicate that Rachuonyo South Sub-County DCI boss, Daniel Muhuhi, was among those ambushed as officers attempted to arrest the suspects at the homestead of the late former Kasipul MP, Ong’ondo Were, in Kachien Village.
The officers had reportedly traced the suspects from Kosele Trading Centre after receiving intelligence on their movements.
The suspects then escaped to the late MP’s compound, where they allegedly launched an attack on the officers.
As the by-elections draw closer, the Kasipul area has experienced increasing violence and heightened political confrontations.
Despite efforts by ODM leaders and the police to restore calm, the situation continues to escalate, raising concerns about the safety of residents and the integrity of the upcoming polls.
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