Malava’s political scene has been jolted after Democratic National Alliance candidate Joab Burudi Manyasi withdrew from the race, endorsing UDA’s David Ndakwa.
The announcement was made in Kakamega on Sunday, where Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi personally received Manyasi, sparking speculation across the constituency.
Coming just hours before the IEBC-mandated deadline for campaign activities on Monday, November 24, 2025, the move is widely seen as strategic, potentially reshaping the final stretch of the Malava by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27.
Analysts suggest Manyasi’s endorsement could swing voter dynamics in Ndakwa’s favour.
The event drew senior political figures, including UDA Vice Chairman Kelvin Lunani, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, Senator Jackson Mandago, and MPs Benard Shinali, Fred Ikana, Joseph Hamisi Denar, and former Mumias East MP Benard Shinali.
Ndakwa will face Seth Panyako of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya, whose candidacy is backed by the United Opposition alliance.
Ndakwa has garnered support from senior cabinet and government officials, including Cooperative CS Oparanya, Speaker Moses Wetangula, and other leaders from ODM and UDA, while Panyako enjoys entire entourage of the opposition alliance, as well as that of Boni Khalwale, a UDA-elected Senator.
