Just six months after the passing on of Moses Malulu Injendi, the Member of Parliament for Malava Constituency, the race to fill the vacancy is heating up, with 30 individuals having expressed interest in the seat.
The newly completed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to announce the by-election date soon, and the growing number of contenders has turned the constituency into a political battleground.
Aspirants joining the list of contenders include seasoned politicians, medical professionals, lawyers, and teachers, all seeking a space in the National Assembly as per the list shared by Saboti MP Caleb Amisi.
Among the high-profile hopefuls is the Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Seth Panyako, who brings name recognition and national experience to the race. Panyako enjoys a wide range of support from both the political and medical classes.
"I held a highly engaging and constructive meeting with Seth Panyako, a distinguished parliamentary aspirant for Malava Constituency in the upcoming by-election. Our discussion centred on his bold vision and unwavering commitment to the people of Malava," Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said on Thursday, July 24.
Academic bigwigs like Prof Philip Museve Kutima and Dr Enock Andanje are also in the mix.
The youths have also not been left behind, with names like Ryan Injendi, the former MP's son, and Lilian Sospeter making a play for the youth vote.
Other names in the long list include Caleb Sunguti, Benjamin Nalwa, Jonah Barasa, Daniel Mwachi, and Wakili Lewis Shitanda.
Already, leaders from different political parties have fronted their preferred candidates, with Rigathi Gachagua's newest DCP Party not left behind.
The ruling party, UDA, has also not been left behind, as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has been pitching camp in the region, drumming up support for the UDA candidate in the forthcoming by-election. UDA is believed to be backing the late MP's son.
The Gachagua-led DCP Party is fronting Edgar Busiega Mwanga, while the Raila Odinga-led ODM is yet to front a candidate.
However, owing to their broad-based government arrangement with Kenya Kwanza, it is yet to be revealed whether ODM will throw their support behind the UDA candidate or front their own candidate.
