The race for the Malava seat has taken a fresh twist after the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Edgar Busiega Mwanga withdrew from contention.
On Thursday, October 30, DAP-K Party, affiliated with the United opposition, confirmed the new developments, adding that Busiega opted to step down in favour of their contender Seth Panyako.
Effectively, the united opposition outfit will now throw its weight behind Panyako.
"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," the statement read.
Panyako also confirmed he would be the sole representative of opposition in a statement on Thursday, thanking DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua for support.
"Firstly, I want to thank the DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, his deputy Cleophas Malala for helping me and allowing my brother to support me in this journey," Panyako said.
There were signs that Panyako would be the main man for opposition, particularly because he faced no resistance during the nomination process and was handed a direct ticket.
At the time, DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa exuded confidence in his candidate, stating, "We will be sharing this report with the people of Malava today; we have no doubt that it will emerge that Seth Panyako is the sure bet. If anyone wants to defy the agreement of the joint opposition resolution, then the results will still be reflected on the ballot on November 27th," he said.
The Malava parliamentary seat was declared vacant following the passing of Moses Malulu Injendi, who died on February 17 after weeks of hospitalisation.
A number of candidates are set to battle it out for the seat, including (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa, who is arguably Panyako's biggest competition.
Ndakwa recently received backing from ODM who, through Kakamega County ODM Chairman Fernandes Barasa, announced that the party would back UDA in the by-election.
Also in the race are Caleb Sunguti, representing the Roots Party, and Joab Manyasi from the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).
Interestingly, the decision by Busiega to throw his weight behind Panyako came on the same day President William Ruto toured Malava as part of his three-day tour in the Western Kenya region.
This is the fourth constituency where the DCP has withdrawn its candidate. In September, DCP's NEC resolved to support the Democratic Party (DP) in the Mbeere North Constituency by-election, with Gachagua acknowledging that the seat had previously been held by the party.
Similarly, DCP pledged to support the Wiper candidate in the Muumbuni Ward by-election. The party also pledged to support a DAP-K candidate in the Kabuchai/Chwele Ward in Bungoma County.
