As tension flares over the Malava constituency by-election contest, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has opted to support the President William Ruto-led faction, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, David Ndakwa.
This has been confirmed by Kakamega County Governor, who is the ODM’s County Chairperson.
Barasa said they had resolved in line with the spirit of the broad-based government, bringing together the two parties, readying the campaign troops ahead of the November 27, 2025, mini-polls contest.
“We shall not be fielding a candidate in Malava in the spirit of the broad-based arrangement between our party and UDA,” he said.
Speaking on Monday, September 22, 2025, in Kakamega town, Barasa said they were convinced that Ndakwa, who is currently serving as the West Kabras Ward MCA, was the best replacement for the late area MP Malulu Injendi.
Ndakwa, who clinched the UDA ticket on Saturday, September 20, 2025, after defeating three other aspirants, including the former MP’s Malulu Injendi’s son who was poised to take the ticket.
“I take this opportunity to thank Governor Barasa and the entire ODM fraternity for believing in me and pledging to back my bid to become the next MP for Malava,” the UDA aspirant said.
The candidate defended Barasa over his turf political squabbles with Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and a section of MPs allied to him over ODM leadership.
Elsewhere, Malulu Injendi’s son blamed Musalia Mudavadi for interference after failing to secure the UDA nomination ticket.
The Malava by-election is a litmus test for the political parties that have fielded their candidates to test the political vet ahead of the 2027 general polls.
Ndakwa will face opposition from the Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary-General Seth Panyako, who was handed a direct ticket by DAP-Kenya. However, his nomination was challenged.
Fellow aspirant Caleb Burudi, through a letter filed by Okubasu & Munene Advocates, questioned his eligibility, arguing that Panyako failed to resign from public office within the timeframe required under the Elections Act.
Burudi claimed that Panyako’s continued service as a board member of the Local Authorities Provident Fund (LAPFUND) past the August 15 deadline contravened election regulations.
The law requires public officers seeking elective positions to resign within seven days of a parliamentary seat being declared vacant.
Burudi asked DAP-K to revoke Panyako’s nomination on those grounds.
In response, Panyako dismissed the challenge, maintaining that his position at LAPFUND does not constitute holding a public office.
“LAPFUND is not a state corporation, and serving on its board does not make me a public officer,” he said.
The DCP party, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, is expected to field a candidate in the mini-polls.
It will be interesting to see if Barasa’s deputy, Ayub Savula, will back the decision of his boss and support Ndakwa or the candidate of his party, DAP-K.
