The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) and the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) are threatening the chances of the opposition to win the Malava by-election.

DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala wants DAP-K party-preferred aspirant Seth Panyako to drop out of the race in favour of its candidate Edgar Busiega. 

Malala said the battle in Malava was between former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP and President William Ruto’s  United Democratic Alliance (UDA) parties.

He said the opposition should unite behind Busiege and fight together to end President Ruto’s influence in the West region.

“This is not just a normal contest for the MP seat. It is the start for a national contest to end Ruto’s regime, hinged on extrajudicial killings, abductions, corruption, and a failed economy, and bring in leadership that listens to the people, or we continue with Ruto’s regime,” said Malala. 

Malava, the most populous constituency in the Western region, is considered a litmus test for President Ruto’s popularity ahead of 2027 and the opposition.

The seat fell vacant following the death of MP Malulu Injendi. 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is yet to declare the seat vacant.

The seat has attracted several aspirants as the UDA is torn between Leonard Shimaka, a lawyer, and Wilberforce Tuvei, a Nairobi-based businessman.

The DCP party has settled on Busiega, a lawyer, while the DAP-K party has settled on Panyako, the Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN).

Tuvei and Shimaka are from the Abashu clan, which is the largest clan, followed by Abasonje, where Busiega and Rayan Malalu originate. Panyako is from the Abatovo clan.

On July 25, during the unveiling of Panyako, DAP-K leader Eugen Wamalwa and Trans Nzoi Governor John Natembeya said the by-election was a turning point for leadership in the region.

“Malava doesn’t just need a politician; it needs a fighter, someone who understands both the pain and the promise of this land. That leader is Seth Panyako,” said Wamalwa. 

However, the DAP-K party has been hit by leadership wrangles and disunity.

DAP-K Secretary General Eseli Simiyu told a press conference after a National Management Council (NMC) meeting in Nairobi that there is “serious disunity” among members of the party.

He said the party had received several petitions—some urging members to remove the party leader, Wamalwa, while others called for the ouster of Natembeya, the deputy party leader.

Meanwhile, President Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, has stepped up his campaigns in the area, persuading locals to vote for a government candidate so that UDA can retain the seat.

“We want to continue with the legacy of our late leader Malulu, which is based on development, and that is why I am always in Malava conducting empowerment programs to uplift the lives of people and ensure all developments initiated by the late leader are completed,” said Farouk.

The UDA side has tasked the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, to spearhead its campaign and reclaim the seat. 

Political analyst Dr. Barrack Muluka opines that Malala’s push for other opposition parties to drop out of the race was dictatorial, considering the country is living in an era of multi-party democracy.

“Malala is out of order. All parties that want to participate in the election are free to do so, as our constitution allows. We have unveiled Joab Manyasi as our candidate for the Democratic National Alliance (DNA). We fought for multi-party to allow many parties to flourish, and therefore Malala’s remarks are dictatorial,” said Muluka.

Muluka questioned the unity of the opposition, stating that it is not yet clear how solid they are as a group.

“Malala is aspiring for many things, and he should know Gachagua needs Bukusu votes. I don’t know how united the opposition is; if their people can speak the language Malala is speaking and nothing is being said by their principals, then I don’t know how united the opposition is,” said Muluka.