- The UDA candidate for Malava Member of Parliament, David Ndakwa, has gained a lot of popularity after the opposition leaders supported his candidacy
- The leaders expressed their intention to abandon their party’s candidate just three weeks before the November 27 by-election.
- The leadership of the UDA and the MP who is expected to welcome the leaders and confirm that being on the side of the government would ensure development in the area
Kakamega: Candidate for UDA David Ndakwa has gained great popularity in the race for the Malava parliamentary seat after some opposition leaders announced their support for him.
Source: Facebook
The by-election, scheduled for November 27, follows the death of former MP Malulu Injendi after a long illness.
Which opposition leaders support David Ndakwa?
In a major change, some of the DAP-K leaders, including the party’s deputy leader and Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula, abandoned their party’s candidate, Seth Panyako, in favor of Ndakwa.
Cross-border DAP-K members argued that supporting their party’s candidate would alienate the constituency from national development.
The leaders said their decision is based on the desire to join the government for development in the area.
Speaking during a meeting in Malava sub-county, Savula said:
“I am the deputy leader of the DAP-K party, but I have looked ahead and I did not see any future here in our party. Today, we ask for your permission because I have realized that our party is not going anywhere. I am officially starting the campaign for the UDA candidate, because this state has never been in opposition. We will make sure that Ndakwa wins decisively.”
Ikolomani Member of Parliament, Bernard Shinali, echoed the sentiment, urging residents to embrace unity and reject tribal politics.
“Let’s turn around and look forward. We want to walk together and stop ethnic divisions,” he said.
The leaders made their declarations during meetings held in Mang’uliro in East Kabras, Shivikhwa in Chemuche Ward, and Fubuye in Manda Shivanga Ward.
Their presence signaled a rising tide of support for Ndakwa from across the political divide.
Did UDA welcome Savula, Shinali?
Savula reaffirmed his commitment to the group, saying,
“We are clear about the candidacy of David Ndakwa in the Malava by-election that will be held on November 27, 2025.”
Source: Facebook
Ndakwa welcomed the approval, calling it a ‘victory for all’ as the elections approach.
“Someone is coming here to lie to you that your member of parliament should not be on the side of the government, but there is nothing to be gained. We will not live with the noise of the opposition. We must be in the government, and that is why I am asking you to vote for me. I did not join the UDA by mistake,” he said.
Assistant to the President William RutoFarouk Kibet, also attended the meetings and assured the residents that development projects will start in the area within a few days.
At the same time, the opposition has been campaigning for Panyako with all their might in the hope of winning the race.
Can Ndakwa beat Panyako in the Malava race?
Meanwhile, according to the Mizani poll, DAP-K’s Panyako leads with 44.7% voter support, ahead of UDA’s Ndakwa with 37.9%, while 12.5% of voters are still undecided.
Although the UDA has a great popularity of the party as a whole, Panyako’s leadership shows that his personal influence exceeds the influence of the party.
His candidacy shows a lot of popular confidence and visibility, driven more by his personality and leadership qualities than party loyalty.
However, if voters were to rely solely on party strength, Ndakwa would have an advantage.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
