Edgar Busiega Mwanga, a leading contender for the Malava parliamentary seat, is set to join the newly formed Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The move slated for July 17, 2025, comes as the by-election race intensifies following the death of three-term MP Malulu Injendi on February 17, 2025.

DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malalah, who is a former UDA secretary general and former Kakamega senator, will receive Busiega alongside other senior party officials.

The ceremony precedes a major political rally in Malava to be presided over by Gachagua upon his return from the United States.

Crowded field narrows

While more than 30 aspirants have expressed interest in the seat, the contest has narrowed to five key candidates.

Besides Busiega, other frontrunners include Seth Panyako of the United Democratic Party (UDP), management consultant Caleb Sunguti of the Roots Party, retired Bungoma High School Principal Dr Enock Andanje, and the deceased MP’s son Ryan Injendi, who works for the Parliamentary Service Commission.

Nelson Shilunji Taliti, a senior assistant inspector general of police previously considered a frontrunner, has faded from the race following his transfer to Kirinyaga from police headquarters.

He did not respond to queries about his candidacy.

Other aspirants who had earlier shown interest, including former Malava Boys High School Principal Daniel Mwachi, lawyer Leonard Shimaka, and Kivaywa High School Principal Simon Kangwana, have maintained low profiles.

Ryan received endorsement from some elders from his Abasonje clan of the Kabras sub-tribe, while another faction endorsed Busiega.

Initially considered President William Ruto’s preferred UDA candidate, Ryan’s fortunes shifted when presidential aide Farouk Kibet redirected his support to Andanje, reportedly a close friend who recently retired at Kibet’s urging.

Busiega’s move to DCP follows a series of political disappointments.

As a backroom lawyer for the Amani National Congress (ANC) during the 2022 elections, he was allegedly sidelined after the January 23, 2022, “earthquake” that merged ANC with UDA. The late Malulu had been elected on ANC’s ticket.

After ANC merged with UDA, Busiega shifted loyalty to the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K) led by Eugene Wamalwa, where Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, a close ally, serves as a prominent voice.

However, damaging feuds between Wamalwa and Natembeya over various issues have weakened the party, with Natembeya reportedly planning his own political outfit.

These internal conflicts derailed Busiega’s potential DAP-K candidacy.

State House strategy

Apart from Kibet, Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala has been deployed to Malava as the Kenya Kwanza chief campaigner.

The move appears tactical, aimed at defusing tensions caused by Kibet’s frequent visits to the constituency.

Inyangala, who hails from Malava, unsuccessfully ran for Kakamega deputy governor in 2022 as Malalah’s running mate.

Kibet’s presence has attracted criticism from residents who accuse him of attempting to impose a UDA candidate.

Despite being a close friend of the deceased MP, his continued advocacy for UDA has not resonated well locally.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, on whose ANC party Malulu was elected, has remained largely absent from the constituency since the burial, appearing only once in May for a funeral.

However, he is expected to play a crucial role in the by-election.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula initially announced that his Ford Kenya party would field Panyako as their candidate during a May visit.

However, he later retreated from this position and has since been accompanying Kibet to “women’s empowerment” meetings across the country.

Electoral context

The reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) last week, after a two-and-a-half-year political standoff, has cleared the path for the by-election.

The commission had been paralysed since January 2023 due to expired commissioners’ terms.

Additional candidates vying for the seat include lawyer Lewis Shitanda, former nominated Senator Naomi Shiyonga, activist Caleb Burudi, security expert Dr Enock Makanga, former nominated MCA Lazarus Lucheveleli, Samuel Tsimbwela Wesukari, Michael Murambi Angatia and Dr Wanangwe Kulecho.