Aroko Denies Planning Attack on MP Peter Kaluma, Blames Voter Bribery Claims for Kasipul By-Election Chaos
Independent candidate Philip Aroko has dismissed allegations that he planned or participated in the attack on Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma during the November 27 Kasipul by-election, insisting he instead tried to shield the legislator from an angry crowd.
Speaking during an interview on Oga Obinna’s show, Aroko said the confrontation at Agoro Sare High School was sparked by widespread claims that Kaluma and other leaders were allegedly bribing voters at a polling station where the MP was not registered.
Aroko: “I did not attack Kaluma — I tried to protect him”
Aroko said he met Kaluma moments before chaos erupted and denied organising goons to assault the legislator.
According to Aroko, tension was already high at the polling centre after word circulated that certain leaders were distributing money to influence voters. He said this rumour attracted an angry group of youths who later confronted the MP.
He said candidates were allowed to move freely across polling stations and insisted he approached Kaluma only to inquire why he was present at a centre where he was neither a resident nor a registered voter. Before he could get an answer, a crowd stormed the scene.
Aroko claimed he intervened to shield the MP but was overpowered alongside Kaluma’s security detail. The incident left both him and the MP injured.
Kaluma accuses Aroko of orchestrating the attack
MP Peter Kaluma has accused the independent candidate of hiring attackers to disrupt the election and intimidate ODM agents. The clash left him with severe head injuries, while his bodyguard was assaulted and his firearm briefly went missing before being recovered.
Kaluma claims the weapon was handed to Aroko — a charge Aroko has strongly denied.
“I never had the firearm. Those allegations are meant to taint my name,” Aroko said, urging police to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Voter bribery allegations fuel fresh political tension
Aroko said the MP’s presence at the polling station where he was not registered raised suspicion among residents. He accused Kaluma of using the attack narrative to divert attention from bribery claims.
He insisted the chaos was not planned but was a spontaneous reaction from youths angered by reports of electoral malpractice.
Investigations ongoing
Police say investigations are underway into:
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the assault on MP Kaluma
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the attack on his bodyguard
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the missing and recovered firearm
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allegations of voter bribery
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has yet to issue a detailed statement regarding the confrontation.
The incident has heightened political tension in Kasipul, with both sides trading accusations as authorities seek to establish what truly happened at Agoro Sare High School.