Eugene Wamalwa cites voter bribery activities in Malava by-election
By Joel Masibo, November 25, 2025The Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has condemned perceived voter bribery in Malava Constituency, accusing Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda of using relief food and non-food donations to influence voters ahead of the Thursday, November 27, 2025, Member of Parliament seat by-election.
In a statement shared on X on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the former Defence Cabinet Secretary said the actions taking place in Malava were “degrading” and a direct assault on democratic principles.
Wamalwa demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) take swift action to curb what he termed as open and shameless voter bribery. According to the former CS, the items being distributed, including foodstuffs, blankets, and mattresses, were originally meant for landslide victims in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Voter bribery activities
“We demand IEBC action against the degrading open voter bribery in Malava constituency by Kakamega Women Rep Elsie Muhanda and her other broad-based colleagues using relief food and non-food items like blankets and mattresses meant for victims of disasters such as drought, floods and landslides, like what happened in Elgeyo Marakwet recently,” he stated.
Wamalwa’s comments come at a time when the political atmosphere in Western Kenya is heating up, with leaders intensifying grassroots engagements ahead of the anticipated mini polls. The allegations raise deeper concerns about the longstanding challenge of gift-based campaigning in Kenyan politics, where poverty and humanitarian emergencies often intersect with electioneering.
Similarly, Jubilee Party 2027 presidential candidate nominee Fred Matiang’i has also criticised the misuse of state or donated resources in political mobilisation. Opposition leaders have argued that such practices compromise the integrity of elections, manipulate vulnerable populations, and perpetuate a cycle of dependency.
As DAP-K’s candidate Seth Panyako contests against the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) David Ndakwa for the Malava Member of Parliament seat in the particular by-election, Matiang’i has predicted victory for the opposition aspirant, who once served as Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN).
Also watch: Shinali warns against chaos ahead of Malava by-election.
Having faith in Panyako
Speaking on the United Opposition campaign trail on Friday, November 21, 2025, in Malava, the Jubilee Party 2027 presidential candidate hopeful praised the track record of Panyako as a servant of the people, highlighting his record while serving at KNUN.
”I have come from a very long journey, all the way from Kisii this morning. And let me tell you a little story because before I came here, I sent experts last week to conduct an investigation and research here in Malava. I asked them to brief me before I came…because I cannot travel such a long distance for a useless person like Ndakwa,” Matiang’i said.
”So I asked them, who will win the Malava seat? It is better to stand with someone who will win votes. They told me the person who will win the votes there is Seth Panyako,” he added.