MP Kaluma Attacked at Polling Station During Tense By-Election in Gem Constituency

Chaos erupted at Agoro Sare Primary School on Thursday when Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was assaulted during a parliamentary by-election marred by violence and accusations of voter intimidation.

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Kaluma, who was serving as chief agent for Orange Democratic Movement candidate Boyd Were, sustained injuries during the midday attack that also resulted in the disappearance of a firearm belonging to one of his security detail. The incident briefly halted voting at the polling station before police intervened to restore order.

The by-election is being held to fill the seat left vacant by the late MP Ongondo Were, who was fatally shot earlier this year. Boyd Were, the deceased lawmaker’s son, is the ODM candidate in the race.

Speaking to journalists after receiving medical attention, Kaluma directly accused supporters of independent candidate Philip Aroko of orchestrating the assault. He claimed the violence was a desperate attempt to disrupt the electoral process as early tallies showed Aroko trailing behind Boyd Were.

“This was a coordinated attack meant to create chaos and intimidate voters,” Kaluma said, his shirt torn and face visibly bruised. “They know they are losing, and this is their last resort to try and steal this election.”

The allegations have intensified an already volatile contest between ODM, which has historically dominated the region, and Aroko, whose independent candidacy has attracted significant grassroots support and split the local political establishment.

Aroko’s campaign has denied any involvement in the violence, with his team issuing a statement condemning all forms of electoral violence and calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Police commanders deployed additional officers to Agoro Sare and surrounding polling stations following the altercation. Voting, which had been suspended for approximately two hours, resumed under heavy security presence, with armed officers stationed at strategic points around the school compound.

“We will not allow anyone to compromise this democratic exercise,” said County Police Commander Julius Kirui. “Investigations are underway to establish exactly what happened and to recover the missing firearm. Those responsible will face the full force of the law.”

The disappearance of the firearm has raised serious security concerns, with authorities launching an intensive search operation in the surrounding area. Police have not disclosed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the weapon’s theft.

Boyd Were addressed supporters at his campaign headquarters late Thursday afternoon, urging voters to remain calm and continue exercising their democratic rights despite the day’s violence.

“My father gave his life serving this community,” Were told the crowd. “We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. I call on the police to swiftly arrest those responsible for today’s attack and ensure justice is served.”

The by-election has been closely watched as a test of ODM’s continued dominance in Nyanza region and as a measure of public sentiment regarding the circumstances surrounding Ongondo Were’s death, which remains under investigation.

Electoral officials confirmed that despite the disruption, voting proceeded at all 198 polling stations across the constituency, with turnout reported to be moderately high. Polls closed at 5 p.m. as scheduled, and vote counting was underway at designated tallying centers under tight security.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission issued a statement expressing concern over the violence and pledging to work with security agencies to ensure the safety of all electoral stakeholders and the integrity of the tallying process.

Results are expected to be announced by Friday afternoon, with both camps expressing confidence in victory despite the day’s tumultuous events.