Boyd Were Inherits Legacy: ODM Crushes Rivals in Emotional Kasipul By-Election Triumph
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Boyd Were has secured a decisive victory in the Kasipul Constituency parliamentary by-election, polling 16,819 votes to become the new MP succeeding his late father, Charles Ong’ Ondo Were, who was assassinated in April 2025.
Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku announced the results early Friday morning at Agoro Sare High School tallying center, with independent Philip Aroko trailing at 8,476 votes and Movement for Democracy and Growth’s (MDG) Collins Omondi Okeyo third with 4,796.
Other contenders included Issack Kiche (201), Robert Money Bior (519), Rateng Okoth Kotiende (72), Jesse Okello (55), Jaezmen Linda Aoko (26), Robert Ouma (17), and Ishmael Omondi Koyoo (98), across 142 polling stations in five wards.
By-Election Sparked by Tragic Assassination
The seat vacated after Ong’ondo Were’s brutal killing near City Mortuary, where he was shot by a lone gunman while in route from Parliament, prompting national outrage and a by-election on November 27.
Voting occurred amid tight security in Central Kasipul (33 stations), West Kamagak (27), South Kasipul (29), West Kasipul (34), and East Kamagak (19), with ODM framing the polls as a tribute to Raila Odinga’s Nyanza legacy post his October death.
Boyd, at 27 one of Kenya’s youngest MPs, clinched the ODM primaries earlier with 18,210 votes in a peaceful process endorsed by party chairperson Gladys Wanga.
Boyd Were’s Vow to Carry Father’s Development Torch
Upon receiving his certificate, the youthful MP-elect expressed gratitude to Kasipul voters for entrusting him with the seat, pledging seamless continuity of his father’s initiatives in infrastructure, education, and economic empowerment.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga hailed the win as proof of ODM’s unshakeable regional strength, committing her administration to partner with Boyd for accelerated constituency growth.
Supporters erupted in celebrations, singing and dancing as the results solidified ODM’s grip on Luo Nyanza heartlands.
Strategic Backing from ODM Heavyweights Seals Deal
Boyd’s campaign surged with endorsements from Oburu Oginga, Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, and other leaders who camped in Kasipul urging votes to honor Raila’s influence.
Despite Aroko’s strong independent challenge drawing local loyalty, ODM’s machine and youth mobilization proved decisive in the high-stakes race.
The outcome boosts party morale amid national shifts, positioning Boyd as a fresh voice for 2027 polls while testing his ability to deliver amid lingering family grief.