Boyd Were, the son of the late Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, has emerged victorious in the ODM Party primaries, earning the ticket to contest in the upcoming by-election.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 24, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga congratulated Boyd for securing victory in the tightly contested primaries.
She noted that the outcome reflected the will of the people of Kasipul, adding that the win should serve as a rallying point for unity in the constituency.
“I wish to congratulate Boyd Were wholeheartedly for his victory in the ODM party primaries. The people of Kasipul have spoken, and they have chosen a candidate they believe will champion their interests. This is the time for unity,” she said
Wanga also called on ODM leaders, members, and supporters to give Boyd their full support, noting that the focus must now turn to securing victory in the by-election.
“I urge all leaders and supporters to back Boyd fully as we now focus on the greater task of winning the by-election and bringing transformative development to Kasipul,” she added.
Earlier Wednesday, ODM issued a statement following the disruption of the party primaries.
In a press release, National Election Board Chairperson Emily Awita confirmed that the party nomination for Kasipul Constituency scheduled for the day had been disrupted and subsequently postponed.
“This has been occasioned by the violent invasion of the election materials distribution centre by one of the aspirants, a Mr. Newton Ogada, who is alleged to have arrived with goons and started threatening the Returning Officer and other officials,” the statement read.
The situation was further complicated by the unexpected arrival of Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Douglas Orindo, who allegedly came to the venue uninvited.
“The process was further delayed by the arrival of the Deputy Governor of Homabay County, Hon. Douglas Orindo, who is not a candidate in the primaries,” the statement noted. “This unnecessary disruption has caused the delay in the exercise which was supposed to be closed of at 6:00 pm.”
ODM described the incident as not only barbaric but also deeply concerning, given the party’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the nomination process.
“This incident is not only barbaric but also egregious considering the commitment that the aspirants signed for in the nomination exercise, which they agreed to deliver during a meeting held in Nairobi last Tuesday (16/09/2025),” the party stated.
In response to the disruption, ODM emphasized maintaining calmness, friendliness, and order during nomination exercises.
“We expect calmness, friendliness, and sobriety during the exercise, and this issue of issuing threats to election officials and causing unnecessary delays, stern disciplinary action will be taken against them, including being disqualified from the exercise,” the party warned.
