Barely two weeks after Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) announced it would field a candidate in the upcoming Malava by-election, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale cast doubt on the move.
Speaking during a Senate session, Khalwale condemned Gachagua's decision to field a candidate in a region that Gachagua had previously dismissed as a poor contributor to the country's economy.
Khalwale referred to Gachagua's recent speech in the US, in which he alleged that the Kenyan economy is driven primarily by the Mt Kenya region - a statement with which Khalwale disagreed.
The senator also criticised Gachagua's time in Nabakholo, Kakamega, where he had previously served as an assistant chief. Khalwale accused Gachagua of failing sugarcane farmers and mismanaging shares in Mumias Sugar Company.
According to Khalwale, Gachagua has been ungrateful to the Western region, and fielding a candidate in the same region expecting a win was ironic.
“I'm surprised that he even dared to field a candidate in the Malava constituency by-election. You tell people that they don't participate in the economy of the republic and you want to go and win an election in Malava?" the senator questioned.
“Gachagua, party leader of DCP, I wish you good luck in Malava constituency," the senator sarcastically said.
The Malava seat became vacant following the passing on of MP Malulu Injendi in February.
On July 18, the DCP unveiled Wakili Edgar Busiega as their candidate for the Malava by-election. Busiega, a young lawyer, was presented at a high-profile event in Nairobi, which was attended by DCP Secretary General Cleophas Malala.
Meanwhile, DAP-Kenya, led by Eugene Wamalwa, has thrown its support behind Seth Panyako, the former secretary general of the Kenya National Union of Nurses, who is also seeking the seat.
With over 30 aspirants, including the deceased MP's son, seeking to clinch it, the seat is becoming hotly contested.
