Top political figures backing Seth Panyako ahead of Malava by-election
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 4, 2025Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) chair, who also doubles as the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate, Seth Panyako, has been receiving overwhelming support, with top influential figures from Kakamega County throwing their weight behind him in his quest for the Malava parliamentary seat, where he is set to face United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa.
Also Watch: Natembeya and Khalwale storm Malava to campaign for Seth Panyako
Khalwale
The first person from the county to back him was Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale. Despite being a UDA member and the Senate Majority Whip, he went against the party’s stance, which had already endorsed David Ndakwa, who won in the primaries.
Khalwale’s move elicited reactions from the party leadership, prompting them to serve him with a disciplinary letter.
However, Khalwale defended his decision, insisting that the Mulembe people must be respected and that no one from outside should impose a leader on the people of Kakamega.
He added that, by any chance, Seth Panyako was the one who was supposed to be supported by the government, as he came second in the 2022 general election after the late Malulu Injendi defeated him with a narrow margin of 2,000 votes.
Jirongo
Former Lugari MP and 2022 Kakamega gubernatorial contestant Cyrus Jirongo has also expressed his support for Seth Panyako. He stated that, despite being outside the country, he sent DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa to deliver his message of endorsement, with Jirongo expected to join the campaign trail soon.
RUPHA boss Brian Lishenga
The Rural Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) chair Brian Lishenga, who contested the Kakamega senatorial seat in 2022 on an ODM ticket and came second after Khalwale, scooping over 20 per cent of the votes, has also come out to support Seth Panyako.
On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Lishenga accompanied Seth to church services within the constituency.
Lishenga, who has been critical of the government over delayed disbursements of funds owed to private hospitals by the Social Health Authority (SHA), said the time has come for someone from the healthcare profession to sit in parliament and champion matters of health.
Cleophas Malala
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala, who also doubles as the former Kakamega senator and UDA Secretary General, has joined the campaign after his candidate Edgar Busiega stepped down in favour of Seth Panyako.
Malala, a no-nonsense politician, has committed to vigorously campaigning for Panyako in the spirit of a united opposition.
He recently pulled a mammoth crowd in the constituency after Busiega stepped down.
DAP-K support
As a DAP-K party member, Seth Panyako has also been backed by his party leader, Eugene Wamalwa, who has been touring the constituency urging Malava residents to vote for Panyako.
According to Wamalwa, Seth is the frontrunner, citing internal opinion polls that show him leading by a double margin. He added that the Malava by-election will serve as a litmus test for the 2027 general election.
DAP-K deputy party leader and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, despite past differences with Wamalwa, has also joined the campaign to popularise his candidacy using his “Tawe” slogan.
The entire united opposition endorsed Seth Panyako’s candidature on Monday, November 3, 2025, and vowed to storm the constituency and other areas where by-elections are being held.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has also thrown his weight behind Seth Panyako. Other leaders from the western region, the whole United Opposition, is backing Seth Panyako for the race.
On Monday, November 3, 2025, the opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua vowed to go all out to clinch the seat and in other areas where they have fielded candidates ahead of the November 27, 2025, by-elections.