From allies to adversaries: Seth Panyako reveals why Ruto opposed his Malava parliamentary bid
By Luke Oluoch, December 3, 2025Malava by-election parliamentary candidate Seth Panyako has disclosed the cause of President William Ruto’s opposition to his parliamentary bid for the November 27, 2025, by-election.
Speaking to a local radio on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Panyako stated that his issue-based approach and vehement opposition to some of Ruto’s policies, such as the abolition of Linda Mama, placed him at odds with the president.
Panyako, who contested the seat on a Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket, once served under Ruto as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) vice chair before exiting the party in May 2023.
From Ruto’s ally to adversary
“My campaign was issue-based, and it instilled fear in Ruto. He knew if I stepped into parliament with the message I was advocating and it gained traction and appeal with the people, he would run into huge problems,” the medical practitioner stated.
According to him, Ruto’s ascension to power declared war on women’s health and the education sector, policies he had vowed to oppose and wage war against through legislation if elected.
“My issues are touching on people. For instance, on policies such as education and maternal health. When Ruto took power, he declared war on women by abolishing Linda Mama.
Also watch: Seth Panyako breaks down while voting, citing threats and intimidation in Malava by-election.
UDA polls influence
“He has since removed capitation. These were issues at the heart of the people, and I was determined to fight against all these,” he added.
The aspirant also expressed his dissatisfaction with how the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) conducted the polls.
“UDA only won one genuine seat in that MCA seat. They left democracy to prevail in the ward seats. In the parliamentary seats, they influenced every sphere of it since they knew it is where the presidency is protected,” he stated.
His remarks follow after he also opened up about the emotional scene in which he was pictured weeping at a Malava polling station before storming out in an emotional tirade.
Speaking on the viral incident, he stated that he had reached his lowest ebb after he and his family became a target of what he described as well-coordinated, state-sponsored attacks.
“When I was saying let them take everything, I had made up my mind based on what I had seen and gone through. They had unleashed total war on me, and no one had bothered to come to my aid. I had even called Deputy Police IG (Gilbert) Masengeli, but he would not pick up my phone,” he said.
The aspirant expressed being baffled by the extent to which individuals could stoop to achieve political gains, wondering how President William Ruto—a former ally of his whom he helped rise to the presidency—could allow him to be subjected to such inhumane treatment.
“If this is truly a country of law and order, why hasn’t anyone spoken about it, including Ruto, whom I helped become president? He is the one who was commanding it, and I have no fear of contradicting that. This is the highest level of inhumanity—it appears we are being led by psychopaths,” he stated.