Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has appealed to religious leaders from Malava Constituency to rally behind the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the upcoming by-election for the area’s parliamentary seat.

Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, during a meeting with religious leaders from the constituency, Mudavadi emphasised that the person elected to replace the late Malulu Injendi should be from UDA.

While he did not endorse or mention any specific candidate, he urged the leaders to unite in ensuring the seat remains under the party.

“Mimi nataka niwaombe tafadhali, sitaki kutaja jina lakini mnisaidie awe mtu wa UDA,” Mudavadi said.

Mudavadi stated that Kakamega previously had two legislators from the Kenya Kwanza coalition who were initially elected under the Amani National Congress (ANC) before the party entered into a coalition with UDA, one from Malava and the other from the neighbouring Shinyalu constituency.

He explained that ANC eventually merged with UDA, and therefore, it would be fitting for the Malava seat to stay within the ruling party.

He further noted that the late Injendi played a significant role in fast-tracking the coalition agreement between ANC and UDA before his death. For this reason, Mudavadi argued, the constituency should help ensure the seat is secured by UDA as a way of honouring his contribution.

Mudavadi also recounted the president’s presence at Injendi’s burial, stating that after the service and other mourners had left, the president remained until the burial was complete, even laying flowers on the grave.

 He described this as a show of the president’s deep love and connection with the people of Malava, adding that retaining the seat for UDA would be a just decision for the residents.

“Malulu was a close friend of President Ruto; the president did not just go away after the service; the president actually came to the grave na akakaa pale paka process ikaisha,” Mudavadi said.

Battle for Malava

This comes at a time when the battle to replace Malulu Njendi has gained momentum, with 6 candidates from UDA wanting to fly the party ticket, including Malulu’s son Ryan Injendi, who recently came out confidently that he will be the one allowed to fly the party’s flag in the by-election.

Other parties have also shown interest in the seat; both the DCP party and DAP-K party are camping in the constituency with an aim of securing the slot