Malava Member of Parliament-elect David Ndakwa has pleaded with President William Ruto to consider his opponent, Seth Panyako, for a government appointment after losing in the Malava by-elections.

While speaking during his homecoming in Malava following his victory on Saturday, November 29, 2025, Ndakwa stated that despite the tough contest he had with Panyako, he deserves a government appointment, despite belonging to the United Opposition Party.

“Nataka kuambia Ruto kuna mwenzangu ambaye tulipambana naye, anaitwa Seth Panyako. Mimi nakuambia umkumbuke umpatie kazi, aishi kama wengine,” Ndakwa said.

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Barasa vouching for Panyako

The same was echoed by Kakamega governor Fernandez Barasa.

Speaking at the home of Malava MP-elect Ndakwa during celebrations of his victory on Friday, November 28, 2025, Barasa emphasised that he believes all candidates who lost in Malava by-elections should be included in advancing the broad-based government agenda, regardless of their political affiliations.

He highlighted that Panyako, who went through a challenging election process and appeared overwhelmed by emotions during voting, deserves a seat at the table and should not be left out.

Barasa also urged the president to consider other candidates who finished third and fourth in the Malava race for government positions.

According to Barasa, just as the President rewarded UDA aspirants who lost in the primaries but threw their support behind David Ndakwa with ambassadorial appointments, similar consideration should be extended to Panyako, despite his affiliation with the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).

“Nataka nikuombe raisi, vijana wote ambao walikuwa kwa kinyang’anyiro, na mheshimiwa wetu David Ndakwa wakumbuke, hata Panyako najua amelia sana jana, pia mkumbuke. Mimi kama baba wa kaunti nataka serikali ya broad-based iwe an inclusive government tuendelee,” Barasa stated.

Panyako was formerly an allied member of the UDA party until a few months after the general elections. He previously vied for the Malava seat under the UDA ticket and was narrowly defeated by the late Malulu Injendi.

In the by-elections, David Ndakwa narrowly defeated Panyako, securing 21,564 votes to Panyako’s 20,210.