Philip Aroko, Boyd Were Fined Ksh1 Million As IEBC Issues Ultimatum
The decision came after a session before the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, where both men presented their arguments before the panel reached its conclusion.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Kasipul parliamentary candidates Philip Aroko and Boyd Were Ong’ondo have each been slapped with a Ksh1 million penalty by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which found them liable for the violence that erupted during campaign activities ahead of the constituency’s by-election.
The decision, delivered on Wednesday, November 19, came after a session before the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, where both men presented their arguments before the panel reached its conclusion.
In its report, the committee outlined the exact offences, stating that the pair had breached multiple sections of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
IEBC's Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, during a disciplinary meeting with Kasipul by-election candidates Philip Aroko and Boyd Were on Monday, November 17, 2025. /IEBC
"Upon keenly listening to the parties and considering all the facts and law, it is the committee's finding that the two candidates in this matter are responsible for the violence witnessed in Kasipul constituency.
"Our finding as the committee therefore is that in the context of both oral and written submissions of the parties, the committee finds that both candidates are in violations of Paragraph 6 (q), (b), (c), (e), (i), (k), (m), and (n) of the electoral code of conduct," the committee said.
Before announcing the fines, the committee stressed that campaign order and fairness rely on candidates sticking to the guidelines and timelines they endorse.
It further warned both Aroko and Ong’ondo to abide by the joint campaign timetable established in early October.
"The committee hereby orders that a stern and formal warning be and is hereby issued to Philip Aroko and Boyd Were Ong'ondo, to respect and obey IEBC's harmonized campaign schedule as agreed upon by all candidates on 10 October 2025 without any deviation whatsoever," the committee added.
The committee went on to impose penalties of Ksh1 million on each candidate, directing them to settle the fines within 48 hours of the ruling.
It also made it clear that any future breaches would trigger tougher action, including the possibility of being removed from the by-election race.
"A most stern warning be and is hereby issued to both candidates, that should any violation of the letter of court be repeated by any of them, this committee will consider all penalties under the law, including their disqualification from participating in the November 2017 elections altogether," the committee further said.
The duo were summoned after two people were killed and several others injured in Kasipul when suspected goons stormed a rally held in Central Kasipul by ODM candidate Boyd Were.
Boyd blamed his main opponent, Philip Aroko, for the violence, while Aroko dismissed the claims and accused Boyd’s team of using force to intimidate his supporters.
The update follows an earlier IEBC warning that Kasipul candidates and their parties risk disqualification after the escalating violence that left two people dead.
Such disqualifications could throw the Kasipul by-election into uncertainty, especially since the seat fell vacant after Boyd's father, the late Charles Ong'ondo Were, was killed in broad daylight by armed attackers.
The IEBC national tallying centre at Bomas of Kenya. /BOMAS OF KENYA
