Just six months after the death of Moses Malulu Injendi, who served as the Member of Parliament for Malava Constituency, the race to replace him is already drawing intense competition.
A staggering 30 hopefuls have officially declared their intention to vie for the vacant seat, turning Malava into one of the most watched political hotspots in the country.
The recently reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to announce the official date for the by-election soon. With a growing list of candidates from various backgrounds, the political temperature in the area is already rising.
The list of aspirants is diverse and includes veteran politicians, seasoned medical professionals, respected lawyers, and experienced teachers — all looking to represent the people of Malava in the National Assembly.
This list was made public by Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi, who has been actively following the developments.
One of the standout figures in the race is Seth Panyako, the Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN). With a strong national profile and solid backing from both the medical community and sections of the political class, Panyako is viewed as one of the frontrunners.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, after meeting with Panyako, praised him as a visionary leader deeply committed to uplifting Malava.
“I had a productive and inspiring meeting with Seth Panyako, who is vying for the MP seat in Malava. His vision for the people and his passion for change were very clear during our discussion,” Natembeya shared on Thursday, July 24.
Academic heavyweights are also in the running, including former Kakamega Deputy Governor Prof Philip Museve Kutima and medical doctor Dr Enock Andanje, both of whom bring years of experience and community engagement to their campaigns.
Youth representation is also strongly felt in the race. Among the younger candidates are Ryan Injendi, the son of the late MP, and Lilian Sospeter, who are both appealing to the constituency’s growing youth demographic.
Other notable contenders in the long list include Caleb Sunguti, Benjamin Nalwa, Jonah Barasa, Daniel Mwachi, and lawyer Lewis Shitanda, popularly known as “Wakili.”
With the race gaining momentum, political heavyweights and parties have begun endorsing their preferred candidates. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s new Democratic Congress Party (DCP) has already fronted Edgar Busiega Mwanga as their flagbearer.
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is also active in the region, with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi making multiple visits to rally support for the party’s candidate. UDA is widely believed to be backing Ryan Injendi, the late MP’s son, in an apparent bid to maintain continuity.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is yet to announce who it will support. Political observers are keen to see whether ODM will endorse the UDA candidate as part of the broader Kenya Kwanza unity deal, or choose to field its own candidate in the by-election.
As the IEBC prepares to issue the official timeline for the election, Malava is shaping up to be a high-stakes battleground — where political experience, youthful energy, and party loyalty will all collide in a hotly contested race for the coveted MP seat.
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