The move has surprised many people because Magwanga is a senior member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a party that has controlled Kasipul politics for many years.
Magwanga made his stand clear during a campaign event on Friday, November 21. He told residents that they must be allowed to choose their next Member of Parliament freely, without pressure from political parties or outside forces.
His words showed that he believes the people of Kasipul understand their needs better than party leaders who do not live in the area.
According to Magwanga, the party nominations were not done properly. He said some voters were brought from places like Suba and Homa Bay town to influence the results.
He explained that this action denied the true residents of Kasipul a fair chance to pick their preferred candidate.
He claimed that such mistakes in the nomination process pushed Philip Aroko to run as an independent candidate.
Magwanga told the crowd that they should focus on leadership that reflects the wishes of local people.
He also said that past problems in Kasipul, including unrest and political tension, happened because leaders were imposed on the constituency by powerful people.
He urged voters to reject such interference and choose a leader who understands their daily challenges.
The Deputy Governor’s decision is expected to cause more debate inside ODM, especially because the party has already endorsed Boyd Were as its candidate.
Many supporters are now watching to see how ODM leaders will respond to one of their own breaking ranks at such a critical moment.
The Kasipul by-election has already experienced violence in recent weeks. There have been clashes between supporters of the two leading candidates, Boyd Were and Philip Aroko.
These fights have caused loss of lives and destruction of property. Each side has blamed the other for the chaos, creating fear among residents.
Due to the rising tension, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) fined both leading candidates KSh1 million each for breaking the electoral code of conduct.
IEBC warned that any further violations may lead to serious punishment, including disqualification.
The commission also made both candidates sign an agreement to follow a peaceful campaign plan.
In a statement released on November 7, IEBC said that the election must be conducted fairly.
They emphasized that votes must be cast, counted, and announced in a transparent way.
The commission added that an investigation team had been sent to Kasipul to find out who is responsible for the violence and recommend the right action.
Security agencies have also promised that they will protect residents before, during, and after the election.
They said they are ready to handle any troublemakers and ensure that peace is maintained throughout the voting period.
Magwanga is not new to Kasipul politics. He served as the MP for the area from 2007 to 2017 before becoming the running mate of Governor Gladys Wanga in the 2022 general election.
His voice carries weight among locals, and his support for Aroko may influence many undecided voters.
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