Malava by-election parliamentary candidate Seth Panyako has opened up about the emotional scene in which he was pictured weeping at a Malava polling station before storming out in an emotional tirade, shouting and pacing around the polling premises.

The incident went viral, with members of the public and politicians reacting to his plight some mocking him, others expressing sympathy.

In an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Panyako stated that he had reached his lowest point after he and his family became a target of what he described as well-coordinated, state-sponsored attacks.

He claimed that his appeals for help, including to the police, went unanswered, accusing even the top police hierarchy of ignoring his calls.

slams Ruto for inaction

“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 you want evidence, go and see my hotel. 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.

Panyako has remained adamant that he won the November 27 polls and rejected the results that declared David Ndakwa the winner, insisting he is the rightful victor.

According to him, the electoral process was riddled with widespread voter bribery, including his own agents and IEBC clerks who were compromised by the money being dished out, which contributed to the announced outcome.

Proud man

The aspirant further expressed gratitude to the people of Malava for their bravery under constant pressure and intimidation from the state.

Panyako added that while Ndakwa has been sworn in as the MP, he will proceed to be sworn in by the people of Malava.

“I am a happy man for one reason. The people of Malava made me proud. They came out and voted for me. I am going to be sworn in by them. That guy did not beat me. The results from up to nine stations were altered, and up to 10,000 votes were stuffed, but I still beat him.”