Tensions flared on Thursday afternoon in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County, after police officers thwarted an attempt by a group of armed youths to storm the Agoro Sare Primary School polling station.
The dramatic incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, shows officers forming a human barricade as dozens of youths armed with pangas, rungus, and other crude weapons attempted to force their way into the voting centre.
According to preliminary reports, the group is suspected to have links to ongoing political tensions in the area, which intensified earlier in the day after Homabay Town MP Peter Kaluma was attacked and injured by individuals believed to be allied to independent candidate Philip Aroko.
The assault appeared to heighten anxiety in the constituency, with security agencies forced into rapid response to prevent escalation.
Witnesses at Agoro Sare Primary School say the youths emerged unexpectedly from a nearby access road shortly after midday, seemingly intent on disrupting the voting process.
Police officers stationed at the centre immediately repulsed them, firing warning shots in the air and deploying tear gas to disperse the group. The officers briefly vacated the main gate to reorganize but maintained firm control of the polling station, ensuring that voting activities continued uninterrupted.
Homa Bay County security officials have urged residents to remain calm, assuring the public that adequate security has been deployed across all polling centres.
Election observers on the ground have also appealed for restraint among supporters of various candidates, emphasizing the importance of peaceful participation in the democratic process.
As the by-election continues, Kenyans have been called upon to allow the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct its mandate without intimidation, violence, or interference, to safeguard the integrity of the vote.
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