Malava by-elections: Jirongo to join United Opposition leaders to campaign for Panyako
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 19, 2025The former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, who unsuccessfully contested the Kakamega gubernatorial position in 2022, is set to join United Opposition leaders in Malava Constituency on Saturday, November 22, 2025, to campaign for the Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) candidate, Seth Panyako.
This is according to a statement shared by DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, who highlighted the leaders who will be present during the final stretch of campaigns as part of the United Opposition’s efforts to support Seth Panyako ahead of next week’s Thursday, November 27, 2025, by-election.
The campaign will be spearheaded by Eugene Wamalwa, Democratic Party for Citizens (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, recently appointed Jubilee deputy party leader and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, and DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala, who is also set to join the campaign trail.
Cyrus Jirongo, who has maintained a low profile since his resounding loss in the 2022 Kakamega gubernatorial race, endorsed Seth Panyako months ago through a call to Eugene Wamalwa.
He vowed that immediately upon his return to the country, he would wholeheartedly campaign for Seth Panyako.
“Cyrus Jirongo ambaye ako nje ya nchi amenipigia simu akaniambia anaunga Seth Panyako mkono,” Wamalwa stated.
United opposition by-election campaigns
This comes at a time when the campaigns are in full swing, with each team eyeing a win in the mini-polls that are barely a week away. The United Opposition principals have been moving from region to region to mobilise support for their joint candidate.
They began in Mbeere North, campaigning for DP candidate Newton Karish, and then proceeded to Magarini to rally support for DCP candidate Stanley Kenga Karissa. However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua did not join them in Magarini, instead vowing to remain and campaign house-to-house in Mbeere North to neutralise the government’s candidate, Leonard Muriuki.
He is, however, set to join the team again in Malava to help Panyako win.
Leaders supporting panyako
Seth Panyako has received support from various leaders. The first to declare support for his candidacy was Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who left his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, David Ndakwa, to campaign and support him.
Afterwards, when DCP candidate Edgar Busiega withdrew from the race, his deputy party leader, Cleophas Malala, together with him, threw their weight behind Panyako. Panyako had lost to the late Malulu Ioinjendi in 2022 by a vote difference of 2,000 votes.
Other leaders, such as Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, have also come out to support and campaign for Seth Panyako.