Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has stated that there is a plot by the state to buy ID cards belonging to their candidate Seth Panyakos’ supporters to prevent them from turning up to vote in the November 27 by-election.

While speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Friday, November 15, 2025, he singled out Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen as being behind the plot to suppress voter turnout by using local administrators to buy and take away ID cards belonging to Malava locals who appear to support Seth Panyako.

“Nataka nitoe ilani kwa ma chief wetu kwa sababu Murkomen alikuwa anaita machifu, na wanataka kuanza intimidation ya chiefs, ati wapewe pesa alafu ati wapee watu pesa ati wanunue ID cards. Ukiwa mpiga kura wa Malava, huwezi piga kura bila ID. Ukiona mtu anakuja kwako anataka kitambukuisho chako, anataka kupunguza kura ya Panyako,” Wamalwa said.

According to Wamalwa, after the state realised that their candidate David Ndakwa is bound to be defeated in the upcoming polls, they have resorted to desperate measures to ensure that Seth Panyako’s supporters do not turn up to vote.

He further urged Malava voters not to be persuaded to hand over their ID cards, as they are the only tool they can use to exercise their democratic right.

Appreciating Malava people

Through his social media pages, he thanked the Malava people for rejecting the scheme by the state and urged them to make sure their will is not subverted.

This comes at a time when barely a fortnight remains for Malava constituents to hit the ballot and replace their MP, Malulu Injendi, who died earlier in the year.

“Thank you, Malava. Your decision is made; now our attention turns to ensuring your will is not subverted by those in the system who are planning to use chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders to buy IDs and spoil your votes. They stand warned! We are ready to face them, mundu khu mundu,” Wamalwa stated.

Malava by-election

The Malava by-election has become a hot spot, with David Ndakwa now set to face Seth Panyako of the DAPK party.

David Ndakwa is being fronted by the government with backing from ODM and the entire county government.

The governor and county deputy governor, Ayub Savula, who were expected to support Seth Panyako, made a last-minute U-turn to support Ndakwa of UDA.

Seth Panyako is being fronted by the united opposition, and the entire battalion is set to storm the constituency to help popularise his bid.