Boyd Were, the ODM party parliamentary candidate for Kasipul, was attacked on Thursday afternoon after suspected hired goons stormed his campaign event.
The incident, which took place in Opondo in Central Kasipul, left Were's security personnel with critical injuries, and several other locals were injured in the ensuing chaos.
Confirming the incident, Boyd - the eldest son of the late Ong'ondo Were - noted that the event had begun peacefully, but turned chaotic when the suspected hired goons, which he claimed were hired by his opponent, started attacking people.
"Within minutes, they stormed the venue, alighted from their vehicles, and directed unprovoked attacks toward us. Sadly, gunshots were heard, disrupting the peace that had initially prevailed," Boyd narrated.
Witnesses revealed that the attackers destroyed people's property, including a public address system that had been set up for use by Boyd and his campaign team.
According to Were's son, the same goons then proceeded to Nyalenda, where he had scheduled to meet more voters and destroyed everything that had been set up, including tents and chairs.
During the chaos in Nyalenda, two motorcycles were burnt, leaving behind a trail of destruction and leaving residents scrambling for safety.
"Later in the evening, my close associate and team member, Jim, was attacked on his way home. He sustained a deep cut on his forehead after being assaulted with a machete by individuals well known to him," Boyd claimed.
Philip Aroko Weighs in on Attack
Amidst Boyd's claims, his main competitor, Philip Aroko, has launched a counter accusation, criticising Boyd's security team for allegedly orchestrating the violence witnessed in Central Kasipul.
According to Aroko, one resident was allegedly killed during the wrangles, with several others left nursing critical injuries, with the latter attributing the incident to Boyd's campaign team.
Aroko, who also held a similar campaign on Thursday afternoon, called on the local leaders to uphold peace even as the locals continue to prepare for the by-elections.
"This nonsense of killing constituents must stop in this by-election. You cannot kill my people and get away with it," Aroko commented.
