Homa Bay Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga has publicly opposed Boyd Were’s bid to succeed his late father, former Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, just days before the ODM party nominations.
Magwanga cautioned voters against electing candidates purely based on family ties, arguing that such “imposed leadership” could bring negative consequences to the constituency.
He cited recent examples from UDA primaries, noting that relatives of deceased leaders were not guaranteed victory. Ryan Malulu, who sought to succeed his late father in Malava, lost the primaries, while in Baringo, William Cheptumo’s son was also defeated.
“Will the aspirant from Kasipul automatically succeed? We are constantly told to wipe the tears of bereaved children—but who wiped the tears of families whose loved ones were murdered?” Magwanga questioned, urging voters to make careful choices.
Boyd Were, one of five candidates contesting the ODM ticket, rose to prominence after his father’s assassination and has received endorsements from several party leaders, including Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma.
Kaluma responded sharply to Magwanga’s comments, accusing him of harboring personal grudges against the late MP and his family. He noted that Magwanga did not attend Were’s funeral and had returned a KSh 20,000 monetary contribution he had sent.
The MP further alleged that Magwanga staged an incident involving his official car to portray himself as a victim of political violence. “What did Were do to you that you continue to fight him and his family?” Kaluma asked.
Kasipul Constituency has attracted over ten aspirants, including ODM contenders Newton Ogada and independents Robert Riaga and Philip Aroko.
ODM has pledged to conduct free and transparent by-elections scheduled between September 24 and 27, as tensions in Kasipul rise ahead of the primaries.
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