Barack Muluka refrains from congratulating UDA’s Ndakwa in Malava by-election
By Luke Oluoch, November 28, 2025Political commentator Barack Muluka has refrained from congratulating the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate in the concluded Malava parliamentary contest.
Speaking on a local TV station on Friday, November 28, 2025, Muluka, a former ally of Musalia Mudavadi and a former official in his now defunct Amani National Congress (ANC), revealed his reservations with the entire process that declared David Ndakwa the victor.
“Ndakwa is well known to me. He was one of my MCAs in Kakamega County. How I wish I could congratulate him and say, ‘Your star is rising, but I cannot,'” he stated.
While boldly casting aspersion on the conduct of the poll, Muluka stated that he could not convey his praises to what he described as a theatre of unfortunate drama.
“We saw all manner of irregularities in the polls. I happen to come from Kisa East, which is in Khwisero. Therefore, my home has been the theatre of the unfortunate drama.
“The outcome is as good as the means. The end must pre-exist with the means. I am concerned about the means and the end of it,” he stated.
The contest
Ndakwa was declared the winner after edging Seth Panyako with only a paltry victory margin of 1,354 votes.
Speaking after his victory, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi described the former Kakamega MCA’s win as a resounding endorsement of President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
Mudavadi hailed David Ndakwa’s triumph, declaring, “A new chapter begins in Malava! Congratulations to UDA candidate Hon. David Ndakwa on clinching a decisive by-election victory to represent the great people of Malava in Parliament. This win is more than a political triumph; it is a strong vote of confidence and a clear call to deliver for the community that has placed its trust in you.”
Meanwhile, Ndakwa’s main challenger, Panyako, decried the manipulation of results and cases of intimidation targeting himself and his campaign team after the announcement of the results.
“We have not lost; we won. Despite the violence against us and attempts on my life, you stood firm. Our heads are still up. My campaign team and the team that stood firm. Congratulations. For those who stood up for the victimisation at the tallying centre. Thank you all,” he stated.
Contested results
Panyako contested the results, claiming that he won in more than half of the polling centres.
The DAP-K candidate claimed that a total of 54 stations had their results altered to deliver victory to his opponent.
“We won in 134 out of 198 polling stations, but still, they managed to manipulate and subvert the will of the people. They used 54 polling stations to steal the elections,” he posited.