Malava, Kakamega County— The race for the Malava parliamentary seat, culminating in the by-election on Thursday, November 27, 2025, has taken a decisive turn following a series of strategic political manoeuvres orchestrated by the government’s top leadership.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the UDA party patron for the campaigns, has been central to the effort to secure victory for UDA candidate David Ndakwa, who previously served as Kabras West ward representative under the ANC ticket.
State jobs for loyal aspirants
In a move widely seen as a reward for party loyalty and a means of consolidating support for Ndakwa, three UDA aspirants who failed to secure the party nomination have been given key government appointments.
The appointments were announced on Monday, 24 November, the final day of the campaign, following reconciliation efforts led by Mudavadi and President William Ruto’s personal assistant, Farouk Kibet.
The key beneficiaries are:
- Simon Kangwana: Appointed as an Education Attachee in the Kenyan Mission in Uganda.
- Rhyan Injendi Malulu: The son of the late MP, Moses Malulu Injendi, has been named a Trade Attachee in the Kenyan Embassy in South Africa.
- Leonard Shimaka: Appointed last month as a Commissioner at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for three years.
“The president has kept his word regarding the UDA aspirants,” Mudavadi stated, adding, “I want to tell the people of Malava that the Ruto government, with me as part of it, fulfils its promises” (The Ruto government and I, being a part of it, fulfil our promises).
Manyasi’s withdrawal shakes up the race
Ndakwa’s campaign received another major boost over the weekend with the public withdrawal of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate, Joab Burudi Manyasi.
Manyasi, a popular figure who came third in the 2022 General Election and second in 2017, stepped down and endorsed Ndakwa at an event orchestrated by the Prime CS.
Analysts describe the move as a game-changing strategic manoeuvre, given Manyasi’s loyal support base.
“This decision is not a sign of weakness from our brother Manyasi, but a sign of strength that demonstrates unity of purpose,” Mudavadi said, praising the withdrawal as an act that prioritises the interests of Malava residents.
Unity and development
Mudavadi spent the final days of the campaign traversing the constituency, urging voters to elect a leader who would be an ally of the government.
“We want the people of Malava to elect a leader whom the President will be comfortable to work with,” he stressed, appealing to the voters not to “shame” him.
The Prime CS consistently presented Ndakwa as a trustworthy leader committed to completing development projects initiated by the late Malulu Injendi, including the Malava-Ikoli and Malava-Samitsi roads, various water projects, and the establishment of new administrative units.
With the campaign period officially closed, all attention is now on the 198 polling stations, where voters will decide whether the government’s strategic interventions, combined with appeals for unity and development, will secure victory for Ndakwa.
Ndakwa will face the United Opposition candidate Seth Panyako and Wilberforce Tubei, an independent candidate.
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