Khalwale, Wamalwa celebrate as Seth Panyako is cleared by IEBC
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 8, 2025Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa broke into celebration after Kenya National Union of Nurses Chair Seth Panyako was cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to participate in the upcoming Malava parliamentary by-election slated for November 27.
The incident took place at the IEBC Malava Constituency offices on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, after the three joined hands to present their candidate for clearance by the commission.
This comes after Boni Khalwale, despite being a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), came out to support the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate Seth Panyako over his party’s candidate, David Ndakwa, who are both competing for the same seat in the upcoming November mini-polls.
According to Khalwale, since the Malava by-election has attracted a lot of external forces with imposed leaders, he decided to support Seth Panyako, who he says represents a genuine cause.
He also urged the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) to withdraw their candidate from the race to give Seth Panyako an easy run and avoid splitting votes.
“I am supporting Seth Panyako for Malava MP because he represents the genuine interests of our people. I urge the Democratic Congress Party (DCP) to back him and avoid splitting the vote. Malava must choose its leader without external interference,” Khalwale said.
Jirongo’s endorsement
Seth Panyako recently received a huge boost in his quest for a parliamentary seat after being endorsed by former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.
The endorsement was delivered on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Malava by Democrat Eugene Wamalwa.
He announced that Jirongo, who is currently out of the country, called to express his support for Panyako, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) chairperson.
“Cyrus Jirongo ambaye ako nje ya nchi amenipigia simu akaniambia anaunga Seth Panyako mkono,” Wamalwa stated.
Candidates’ clearance by IEBC
This development comes as several candidates from different areas also presented themselves to the IEBC offices to be cleared to run for various elective seats.
Kasipul Kabondo parliamentary aspirant Boyd Were was also accompanied by the ODM bandwagon to present his papers for clearance to contest the seat left vacant after his father, Charles Ong’ondo Were, was shot dead by assassins in Nairobi.