Tension in Malava deepened on Thursday, November 27, 2025, after the Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–K) leadership accused the government of backing violent attacks and voter bribery aimed at influencing the constituency’s by-election.

The party demanded that United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa be barred from the race, citing what they called a pattern of intimidation and coordinated violence.

DAP–K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and candidate Seth Panyako addressed the media after clashes at Downhill Hotel, where Panyako was staying. Wamalwa claimed that the incident was part of a wider plan to disrupt the polls and intimidate the Opposition.

Wamalwa claimed that goons linked to Ndakwa had stormed the hotel before police officers broke through the gate.

“They have come here to attack very peaceful Luhyas who are preparing to vote in their next Member of Parliament to replace Malulu Injendi,” Wamalwa said.

He accused police of working with criminal groups.

“We want to tell the IG of Police that the police are being used as a tool of violence against the citizens of Kenya. They are working in cahoots with known goons,” he said.

According to Wamalwa, goons arrived first at the hotel and failed to force their way in. He claimed that a Land Cruiser from Matete Police Station, carrying armed officers, then broke the gate.

“The land cruiser of Matete police station with armed police officers were the ones who broke the gate to access Mweshimiwa. So Mweshimiwa had to escape on a motorbike. All his vehicles have been damaged. People have been injured,” he said.

Wamalwa insisted that the IEBC must act.

“We want to tell IEBC that this candidate of UDA should be disqualified. To go to the extent of actually wanting to harm his opponent, who is the people’s choice, cannot be left unchallenged… The voter bribery we have seen today is grounds for disqualification. We want to see action taken.”

Panyako, who is DAP-K’s candidate in the by-election, gave a detailed account of the events at the hotel. He said he had received information earlier in the day that police planned to raid the premises.

“I went to social media and said the police are planning to raid our hotel… I thought it was just a joke,” he said.

Claims of state intimidation

Panyako added that he was sitting with his wife around 8:30 pm when he was informed that businessman Stanley Livondo had arrived and wanted to see him.

“I’ve never met Livondo in my life. I used to see him dishing money in choppers,” he said.

Panyako claimed that Livondo refused to enter the hotel and that his vehicles had doctored number plates.

“They have been moving around with numberless vehicles. Bribing people, threatening people, causing violence. I’ve reported to IEBC so many times, nothing has happened,” he said.

Panyako also said he had been warned earlier by a IEBC officer.

“Salim told me there is nothing he can do because there are orders to have me eliminated so that I’m not on the ballot,” he claimed.

He insisted that the threats were not only coming from individuals but from state actors.

Later in the night, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala claimed that goons had attacked Downhill Hotel, where Panyako was staying, and killed a guard. In a statement on X, Malala wrote:

“Government goons escorted by police are currently breaking into Hon Seth Panyako’s Downhill Hotel… They have already killed the gate man and are breaking the doors.”

The rising tension in Malava mirrored similar concerns in other by-election areas, including Mbeere North, where Chama Cha Kazi leader Moses Kuria claimed polling agents had been attacked on their way to stations.