The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has summoned Boyd Were and Philip Aroko, the two leading candidates in the Kasipul parliamentary by-election contest, as violence threatens to disrupt polls in the area.
Speaking on Friday, November 14, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon revealed that hearings would commence on Monday, November 17, with the Commission warning of disqualifications pending the outcome of the hearings.
“We are aware of the incidences of violence in Kasipul. Immediately we heard of the incidents, we dispatched our investigations team to the ground, they conducted investigations and now we have the final report,” noted Ethekon.
“We have empaneled the Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee which will commence its work on Monday, to summon those candidates in Kasipul,” he added.
The summons came after two people were killed and several others were injured in violence between the two rival factions.
Both Boyd and Aroko have traded accusations over who is orchestrating the fracas, with both camps denying responsibility over the violence.
It all began after suspected goons attacked a campaign event by Boyd in Opondo in Central Kasipul, leaving his security personnel with critical injuries, with several other locals injured in the ensuing chaos.
Confirming the incident, Boyd - the eldest son of the late Charles 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.
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 Boyd, 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.
In response to Boyd’s accusations, Aroko launched a counter accusation, criticising Boyd's security team for orchestrating the violence witnessed in Central Kasipul.
The latest comes after IEBC had warned of the disqualification of the Kasipul candidates and political parties after the violence escalated, leading to the deaths of two people.
A disqualification of the candidates would put the by-elections in Kasipul in jeopardy, with the seat going vacant after the brutal murder of Were in broad daylight by armed assailants.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja disclosed that the police would conduct speedy investigations into the violence, with the polls set to be conducted on November 27.
