By John Mutiso
Seventeen youths were arrested in Kasipul Constituency after being found patrolling the area with crude weapons, including machetes, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
Rachuonyo South Sub-County Police Commander Philemon Saera said the arrests followed intelligence reports of youths moving around in Probox vehicles, allegedly intimidating residents during the ongoing by-elections.
The youths are currently in police custody as DCI sleuths and regular police continue to investigate, including trailing another group suspected of possessing a ceska pistol reportedly snatched from Homa Bay Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma.
Commander Saera emphasized that law enforcement agencies are determined to maintain order and ensure a peaceful voting process.
Earlier, tension erupted at the Agoro Sare polling centre in Kasipul on Thursday, November 27, after Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was attacked while accompanying ODM candidate Boyd Were.
According to media reports, chaos broke out when a group of goons confronted the MP shortly after his arrival.
In the melee, Kaluma’s bodyguard reportedly lost his firearm, adding to the gravity of the incident.
The lawmaker was bleeding from the head, with blood stains visible on his neck and chest as he was escorted away from the scene.
Kaluma directly blamed Independent Candidate Philip Aroko for the violence, accusing his supporters of attempting to intimidate voters and disrupt the polling process.
Speaking after the attack, the lawmaker said the attackers were attempting to provoke a fight, and he insisted that their aim was to prevent residents from casting their ballots.
“They are small people we would have fought them back, but don’t fight them because that is what they want. They don’t want people to come to vote,” he said.
Kaluma had earlier warned of rising hostility in the constituency, describing the situation as driven by external forces and cautioning voters not to be deterred.
“The violence that has been associated with Kasipul is imported violence. For the party I am observing, we want people to turn out, and we know any tension would work against us by suppressing the votes. I urge everyone to come out and vote. There will be no interference,” he said.
