The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate for the Malava Constituency seat, Joab Burudi Manyasi, has stepped down to support Seth Panyako.
Confirming the news on Sunday, Panyako’s Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) relayed that the decision was a unanimous one to ensure the residents got to support a local candidate and not a “foreign” one.
“Joab Burudi Manyasi of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has officially stepped down in favour of Seth Panyako,” the statement read.
“The people of Malava Constituency and Mulembe must choose their leaders without being imposed on by foreigners. Malava Decides! It’s Seth Panyako!”
This comes just days after the party representing Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) also stepped down for Panyako.
The highly contested Malava seat has registered several controversies since the by-elections were announced a few months ago.
It all started when the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) refused to issue its ticket to the late MP Malulu Injendi's son, Ryan Injendi, who had expressed interest in vying for the position.
UDA instead gave the ticket to Kabras West MCA and Minority Leader in the Kakamega County Assembly, David Ndakwa, amid intense opposition by some UDA leaders.
While conceding to losing in the primaries, Ryan seemingly accused Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi of interfering in the local politics.
As a result, Kakamega Senator and UDA Senator Boni Khalwale also chose to support the DAP-K candidate, calling out his party for failing Ryan.
"Mr President, when Malulu died, Baringo Senator Cheptumo also died, and that was also when Migori's Dalmas Otieno died. For the two, you gave Cheptumo's widow a Ministry and Dalmas' wife was also given a big state job, but for Malulu, you did not remember the wife or even the son," he said on October 13.
Adding, "I thought you would allow him to serve as MP, but just as you denied Ryan Malulu Injendi that opportunity and brought an MCA, I have also declared that we will decide who we will vote for without interference from your office."
A day after making the claims, UDA demanded a show-cause letter from the senator, accusing him of defying the party's Constitution by supporting a rival candidate.
However, he has continued to join Panyako and other DAP-K officials, including Party leader Eugene Wamalwa and his deputy George Natembeya, in political rallies campaigning for Panyako.
