DAP-K nominates Seth Panyako for Malava by-election
By Faith Lagat, September 18, 2025The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) has nominated Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) chairperson Seth Panyako as its direct candidate for the upcoming Malava Constituency by-election.
The announcement was made on Thursday, September 18, 2025, through an official post on X, accompanied by an image of Panyako receiving the nomination certificate from DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa.
The X post read, “Seth Panyako has been handed the DAP-K Direct Nomination Certificate to vie for the Malava Constituency seat in the upcoming by-election. Tukutane ground,” alongside the party’s mobilisation under its “Mwamko Mpya” movement.
Elsewhere, goons stormed a press briefing by the DAP-K disgruntled Malava Parliamentary aspirant Caleb Burudi.
Panyako’s confidence
Panyako’s nomination follows days of anticipation as he expressed unwavering confidence in his candidacy.
During an interview with a local TV channel on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, he asserted his lead among contenders to replace the late Malulu Injendi, who passed away a few months ago.
He highlighted frustration among voters over past elections, saying, “The people are very angry about what has happened to me in two elections. In 2017, they knew my victory was stolen; in 2022, they know it was stolen. This time they are very bitter and angry, and they are going to vote and make sure that anybody who is going to steal my votes…” He added, “The people of Malava have already made up their minds; they want me to be the next Member of Parliament. I am confident I have the numbers.”
Party dynamics
Panyako’s alignment with DAP-K, a party gaining traction in Western Kenya, adds a strategic layer to his campaign.
He argued that joining DAP-K leverages the party’s rising popularity, contrasting with leaders from the region aligning with the government for national influence. The by-election, scheduled for November 27, 2025, will see him face Ryan Injendi, son of the late MP, running on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, and Edgar Busiega of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), backed by interim Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala.
Mobilisation
Wamalwa has earlier rallied senior leaders to campaign in Malava.
On August 12, 2025, during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, he said, “Ours is a democratic party. We have a very strong internal democracy, we have a very strong internal dispute resolution mechanism, and today we have appointed such a team that will lead, listen to, and resolve any dispute within our party.”
Speaking at Chui House, he added, “Sisi kutoka hapa tukiongozwa na deputy governor wa Kakamega Ayub Savula, tunataka tuelekee huko na governor Natembeya na hawa viongozi wote twende Malava; we have a seat to win called Malava.”
Meanwhile, DCP Secretary General Hezron Obaga on September 14, 2025, dismissed rumours of Busiega’s withdrawal as propaganda amid growing support for their candidate.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on September 12, 2025, called for fair nominations within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, urging unity behind the successful UDA candidate post-nominations.