Wamalwa: Malava by-election should define Luhya unity and dignity
By Faith Lagat, November 22, 2025DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa has cast the November 27 Malava parliamentary by-election as a defining moment for Luhya cohesion, urging the community to rally behind opposition candidate Seth Panyako.
In an X post on November 22, Wamalwa said, “Let the Malava by-election be the defining moment in our journey as a community,” framing the contest to replace the late MP Malulu Injendi as a chance for the region to reclaim political stature.
As joint opposition campaigns entered day two in Kakamega, he thanked leaders across Wiper, Jubilee, and the Democracy for Citizens Party for backing Panyako, saying their unity reflected broader national opposition momentum.
Subtle realignments
Wamalwa argued that the coalition supporting Panyako extends beyond political arithmetic, rooting itself in community pride.
He praised Luhya leaders, including Boni Khalwale, Cleophas Malala, George Natembeya, Peter Salasya, Caleb Amisi, Jack Wamboka, Edgar Busiega and Nelson Havi, “for championing the cause of Luhya unity and dignity.”
On November 21, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i boosted Panyako’s campaign at Malava Primary School, calling him a “workers’ rights champion” and revealing he had commissioned research that concluded “the person who will win the votes there is Seth Panyako.”
His comments dismissing UDA candidate David Ndakwa as a “useless person” stoked fresh debate. A separate development unfolded in Bungoma when ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, whose party officially backs Ndakwa, hosted Panyako at his Sianda home for a condolence visit.
The presence of Wamboka and Majimbo Kalasinga, and Kalasinga’s symbolic raising of Panyako’s hand, fuelled speculation of shifting loyalties inside ODM.
Friction
The ruling coalition’s efforts to consolidate behind Ndakwa were marked by mixed signals. On November 21, Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang’ula and Wycliffe Oparanya held a rally at Mahira Primary, with Wetang’ula warning against “divisive politics”.
But internal strains persisted after DAP-K Deputy Leader Ayub Savula defected to Ndakwa’s camp, prompting Salasya’s elevation. Campaign tensions escalated when police clashed with opposition convoys, amid Wamalwa’s claims of attempts to confiscate supporters’ IDs through chiefs.
Panyako’s camp continued to draw high-profile backing, including a virtual address from Rigathi Gachagua and expected appearances by Cyrus Jirongo. Ndakwa’s team maintained confidence, citing internal ward-level polling such as a reported 74 per cent lead in Chemuche. As the IEBC begins distributing election materials, Malava faces a high-stakes decision.