Joab Burudi Manyasi of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) announced he has officially withdrawn his candidacy in the Malava parliamentary by-election in favor of Seth Ambusini Panyako of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP‑K).
The announcement, made by DAP‑K via their official X (formerly Twitter) account, called on the electorate in Malava and Mumlembe to unite behind Panyako and choose their leaders “without being imposed on by foreigners.”
The move marks another consolidation of opposition forces against the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate and comes just after DCP’s Edgar Busiega Mwanga stepped aside for Panyako on October 30, solidifying an emerging alliance across multiple parties.
DNA’s Strategic Withdrawal
Joab Burudi Manyasi had officially joined the race earlier this year after defecting from DAP‑K to DNA amid internal wrangles within his former party.
In August, Manyasi launched his campaign under the DNA banner, positioning himself as the voice of Malava’s farmers, youth, and women.
While his candidature represented a formidable challenge, particularly due to his local roots and prior strong showings, his withdrawal now signals a deeper alignment behind Panyako.
Although Manyasi’s announcement has not yet been accompanied by a detailed public statement, the timing suggests a coordinated move within the broader opposition coalition.
Seth Panyako’s selection as the United Opposition candidate comes amid a series of cross-party strategies aimed at countering UDA’s David Ndakwa, who claimed the ruling party’s ticket and received high-profile support from President William Ruto.
Earlier, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) withdrew its candidate, Edgar Busiega, in favor of Panyako, following consultations led by DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala and under the guidance of senior leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
That announcement was praised as a powerful move toward overcoming vote-splitting, uniting Western Kenya’s opposition ahead of the November 27 by-election.
Now joined by DNA, the opposition appears determined to unify its voice and resources behind Panyako, aiming to deepen its appeal among Malava’s diverse electorate.
A recent poll by Mizani indicated Panyako leads the race with 44.7% support, compared to Ndakwa’s 37.9%.
Legal Status of Panyako’s Candidacy
Seth Panyako has been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest in the Malava by-election.
However, a court petition filed by Caleb Burudi challenging his eligibility is still active.
The case argues that Panyako failed to resign from the LAPFUND board within seven days after the seat was declared vacant, as required by law.
The petitioner claims Panyako attended official LAPFUND events after the deadline, making him a public officer during his nomination.
Panyako denies breaking any rules, saying the LAPFUND board is not a state office and that he is legally qualified to run.
He has stated he will stay in the race unless a court orders his removal.
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For now, the IEBC decision stands, and the court has not issued a ruling.
Why Malava Election Matters
The Malava by-election is critical because the constituency is a political stronghold in Kakamega County and often sets the tone for Western Kenya’s voting patterns.
Historically, Malava has favored opposition parties, making it a key battleground for UDA’s efforts to expand influence in the region.
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A win here would strengthen UDA’s grip, while an opposition victory would signal renewed strength ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The recent unity among opposition parties behind Seth Panyako could reshape national alliances, proving that coordinated strategies can overcome vote-splitting and challenge the ruling party’s dominance in key counties.
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