Three officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sustained serious injuries on Wednesday, November 12, during a violent confrontation with armed assailants in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County, amid rising tensions surrounding the ongoing by-election.
According to police, the incident occurred while the officers, including Rachuonyo South Sub-County DCI boss Daniel Muhuhi, were conducting a security operation to apprehend suspects linked to the killing of two youths in the Opondo area ahead of the Kasipul parliamentary by-election.
Reports indicate the suspects initially fled to the late former MP Ong’ondo Were’s homestead in Kachien Village after evading authorities at Kosele Trading Centre. It was there that they ambushed the DCI team.
“Our officers tracked the suspects to Kosele, but they escaped and hid in the late Were’s homestead. During the confrontation, three of our officers, including DCI boss Daniel Muhuhi, sustained serious injuries. One suspect even escaped while still handcuffed,” said Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem.
A manhunt has been launched to track down the suspects believed to have escaped after the violent encounter.
Background: Rising Political Violence in Kasipul
On November 6, violence erupted in Opondo, Central Kasipul, when suspected hired assailants stormed a campaign event, leaving several youths injured by pangas. Security personnel and other locals were also harmed during the chaos.
In response, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) condemned the violence on November 7, confirming that it had dispatched an investigation team to determine the circumstances behind the clash between supporters of ODM candidate Boyd Were and independent candidate Philip Aroko.
The commission warned that any candidates or parties found culpable could face disqualification, with findings guiding appropriate action under the Electoral Code of Conduct.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of former MP Ong’ondo Were in April 2025, leaving the Kasipul parliamentary seat vacant.