Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa has raised serious concerns over what he describes as an “orchestrated state-backed plot” to influence the outcome of the Malava mini polls, following an unusually heavy deployment of police officers in the constituency.

Taking to his official X account on the night of Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Wamalwa, who had just arrived in the area, said he was shocked to find top national security officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and his Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, already on the ground, flanked by senior police commanders.

According to the former Defence Cabinet Secretary, the level of security presence is not only abnormal for a by-election but also signals what he claims is a coordinated plan by the Kenya Kwanza administration to interfere with the vote.

“Just arrived Ingo and found an unusually heavy presence of police with all security chiefs in town led by CS Interior @kipmurkomen himself and his PS! I am now convinced Malava is the main target for rigging by the Ruto regime through a well-coordinated scheme involving the Police, @IEBCKenya officials , provincial administration and state-sponsored goons that my brothers @rigathi, @skmusyoka and I just briefed the Nation about with premarked ballots being stuffed into the ballot boxes after State instigated violence that is meant to suppress voting in Opposition strongholds,” Wamalwa stated.

Pre-marked ballot papers

Wamalwa further alleged that pre-marked ballot papers were already being prepared for stuffing into ballot boxes after the creation of “state-instigated violence” intended to suppress turnout in opposition-leaning areas.

He further recounted how he had briefed the nation alongside fellow United Opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka regarding the purported plot, adding that the coalition would “fight and defeat” any attempts to subvert the will of the people.

“We are determined to fight and defeat this nefarious scheme with all we have got, so help us God!” he stated.

Malava by-election

The Thursday Malava mini poll has emerged as a high-stakes political contest, attracting significant interest from both the Kenya Kwanza administration, which has fronted David Ndakwa under the UDA ticket, and the opposition, which has fronted Seth Panyako under the DAP-K ticket.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has maintained that all necessary measures are in place to ensure a free, fair, and transparent vote.