Malava by-election: Injendi’s son says he will not rely on sympathy
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 5, 2025The late Malava MP Malulu Injendi’s son, Ryan Injendi, who is seeking to replace his father in the upcoming by-elections, has come out to address claims that his candidacy is largely based on sympathy, following the death of his father while still serving in office.
While speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, he acknowledged that the sympathy aspect does exist and cannot be ignored. He stated that he cannot distance himself from the late Malulu Injendi, who did a commendable job for the people of Malava and was deeply loved by the community.
As such, entering the race, the element of sympathy is naturally present. He added that he is coming in to continue with the projects his father had initiated and to carry forward the ideas he often heard his father share about the development of Malava.
“The sympathy aspect of it is truly there; I can’t run away from Malulu Injendi, the late. The sympathy aspect of it is there; he did a very good job for the people of Malava; people loved him so much, so he came in as a candidate. The sympathy bit is there; he did well, and I am coming in to continue with the projects he had started, the idea that he had, because I used to hear what he was planning for the Malava people,” he said.
Sympathy factor
He emphasised that while sympathy may have played a role early on, the mourning period is over. It has now been more than five months since his father passed, and while the family continues to grieve privately, he believes the public sympathy phase has ended.
He stated that the campaign is now a battle and that when he speaks to the people, he does not ask for support based on emotions but rather outlines what he intends to do for the constituency.
“The sympathy is there; we have already done mourning. Mzee is now over 5 months old; the sympathy aspect is now gone, although for us as families, we are still mourning, but now we are fighting. We are in a war. Even now, when I address my people, I don’t say, Please help me. I am telling them what I will do,” he added.
Personal merit
He made it clear that he cannot run away from the fact that some people will vote for him because of the love and respect they had for his father.
However, he is making an effort to separate the sympathy factor from his personal identity and ambitions.
As a young person, he expressed his willingness to step forward and seek the position, not solely on the strength of his father’s legacy but also based on his own promises and plans.
He concluded by affirming that regardless of whether people support him out of sympathy or based on his agenda, he is determined to stay in the race and fully commit to it.
“I will not run away from sympathy because there are many people who will vote for me because they loved my father, but I am trying to set apart the sympathy aspect and me as a person – me as a young person who is willing to come out and ask for this position,” he added.