Kasipul By-Election: A Battle of Titans and the Rise of the Otete Philosophy
By Gladys Yator | Kass Digital
The Kasipul parliamentary by-election is shaping up to be a political thriller — a duel between flamboyant businessman and grassroots mobilizer Philip Aroko and Boyd Were, son of the late MP Charles Were.
Aroko, who has electrified Kasipul’s campaign trail, is riding on what he calls the Otete philosophy — a Luo concept meaning that true progress rests on solid moral, social, and structural foundations. As he puts it, “Joma otetegi ber” — people whose foundations are firm have strength, roots, and values.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared 10 candidates for the November 27, 2025, by-election — but all eyes are on Aroko and Were.
Aroko, running as an Independent candidate, has taken on the mighty machinery of the ODM party, which has thrown its full weight behind Boyd Were. ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has already declared that the party will pour significant time and resources into ensuring Boyd’s victory.
But Aroko isn’t backing down. He has promised to usher in “a new leadership style anchored on good life and people-driven development.” According to him, Nyanza has lagged behind for over half a century due to what he calls “opposition politics that yield no tangible progress.” His rallying cry? Work with the government of the day to bring real development to Kasipul, Homa Bay County.
At the heart of Aroko’s campaign is the Otete symbol, representing unity, hard work, identity, and integrity. He insists that no community can achieve sustainable growth without nurturing these foundational values. His message has struck a chord, blending cultural pride with political purpose.
Aroko’s decision to go Independent came after he accused ODM of handpicking Boyd Were, locking out other aspirants. “The nomination was stage-managed. I refused to be a pawn in a pre-scripted play,” he says. His fear of being edged out still lingers as election day approaches.
Meanwhile, IEBC Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku has assured voters of a free, fair, and peaceful election, urging all candidates to respect the electoral code of conduct they signed.
Despite facing what he calls the “ODM juggernaut,” backed by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Aroko has managed to penetrate deep into the grassroots. His secret weapon? Relentless community engagement, philanthropy, and years of building networks beyond party lines.
Still, the race is far from predictable. Among other contenders is Robert Riaga, popularly known as Money Bior, son of former Luo Council of Elders leader Ker Riaga Omollo. Linda Aoko Ouma, the only female candidate and a self-proclaimed Gen Z voice, is also running as an Independent.
Collins Okeyo carries the flag of the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) party led by Ugenya MP David Ochieng, while Omondi Koyoo, a former Azimio la Umoja youth affairs secretary, joins the fray. Others include Isaac Abok, Jesse Okello, and Rateng Kotiende.
Political analysts say the crowded field reflects the shifting dynamics in Nyanza politics, especially after Raila Odinga’s exit from the active political stage. His departure and ODM’s new broad-based government agreement with the ruling UDA party has, for the first time, liberated voters to embrace diversity in political thought.
As the campaign heat rises, Kasipul finds itself at a crossroads, between old loyalties and new ideologies, between tradition and transformation. And at the center of it all stands Philip Aroko, a man betting his political future on one enduring belief: that development, like a tree, can only stand tall if its Otete — its roots, are strong.
