Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has withdrawn the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate, Edgar Busiega, from the Malava Constituency by-election.
The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent MP Malulu Injendi, who was receiving treatment at Aga Khan Hospital on Monday, February 17.
DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, while addressing the media on Thursday, October 30, said the party had endorsed the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate, Seth Panyako, ahead of the November 27 elections.
“They all cannot be leaders. We sat down and agreed that we would choose one candidate to be the flag bearer of the united opposition,” Malala said.
“We conducted research and found that Seth Panyako is among the most popular candidates. We agreed with Edgar that we would all stand behind Seth Panyako.”
Gachagua Withdraws DCP Candidate Edgar Busiega in Malava By-Election
Panyako is back in the political spotlight as he makes a second bid for the Malava parliamentary seat in the by-election.
Malala announced that Edgar would be included in the nomination list for MPs under the DCP party.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa welcomed the decision by DCP to withdraw its candidate in the Malava by-election and back the DAP-K candidate, Seth Panyako, as the joint candidate for the United Opposition of Kenya.
“Wakili Edgar Busiega Mwanga, who was vying for the Malava Constituency parliamentary seat on DCP, has officially stepped down and backed DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako. As the United Opposition, we now have one candidate in the upcoming by-election,” he said.
Panyako also confirmed that he would be the sole representative of the opposition in a statement on Thursday, thanking DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua for his support.
“Firstly, I want to thank the DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and his deputy Cleophas Malala for helping me and allowing my brother to support me in this journey,” Panyako said.
Also Read: Gachagua’s DCP Party Withdraws from Mbeere and Two Other By-Elections.
DCP By-Election Candidates Ditching Party
The announcement comes after the DCP candidate for the Banisa by-election, Adan Mohamed Kiongozi, withdrew from the race in favour of UDA’s Ahmed Maalim, following a meeting with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
Gachagua was also hit hard after his DCP candidate for the Magarini Constituency by-election resigned from the party.
In a letter issued on Monday, September 29, the DCP candidate, Furaha Chengo Ngumbao, who is also a member of the National Executive Committee, cited frustrations from key party officials.
He said his experience with the party’s National Elections Board (NEB) and Secretary-General Hezron Obanga had been profoundly disappointing.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has scheduled the Malava poll alongside by-elections for the Baringo Senate seat, as well as the Banisa, Kasipul, Magarini, Mbeere North, and Ugunja constituencies, and 17 ward seats.
DCP has withdrawn from some of these contests to support allied parties, but only Malava had remained unchanged until now.
In September, the party pulled out of contention in three upcoming by-elections, including the Mbeere Constituency in Embu County.
Gachagua, who made the announcement after attending the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Nairobi, said the party would endorse Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party (DP) candidate in the November 27 polls.
Also Read: Gachagua Dealt Huge Blow as Magarini DCP Candidate Resigns from Party
The former deputy president stated that the move was in line with the party’s commitment to opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
DCP’s withdrawal from the Mbeere North race came just days after its candidate, Duncan Mbui, ditched the party to contest the seat as an independent candidate.
Gachagua further mentioned that they had also agreed to support the Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya candidate in Mumbuni Ward, Machakos County, under the opposition banner.
In Kabuchai Ward, Bungoma County, DCP announced that it would leave the seat to the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
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