The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has issued a warning to party members who supported rival candidates during the recently concluded by-elections on Thursday, November 27, daring them to resign if they believe they are popular enough to contest in future elections.
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, November 28, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar emphasised that disloyal members should step aside and face the party in a fair contest.
"If you think you're that popular, resign like Raila Odinga once did and face us in a contest," Omar stated.
Among those targeted by Omar's remarks was Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who publicly backed DAP-K's Seth Panyako against UDA's David Ndakwa in the Malava parliamentary by-election, arguing that Panyako represented the genuine interests of the residents, unlike Ndakwa.
David Ndakwa of UDA won the Malava by-election by 21,564 votes in a tightly contested race against Panyako, who managed 20,210 votes.
IEBC returning officer Salim Abdalla declared Ndakwa the winner in the morning of November 28, 2025, at the Malava tallying centre. A win that was seen as significant for the UDA party and its leaders in the region.
The ruling party's disciplinary committee had issued a formal notice to Khalwale in October 2025, accusing him of disloyalty and gross misconduct. Khalwale ignored these warnings and continued to campaign for panyako.
He argued that he was exercising his freedom of choice and dared the UDA leadership to remove him from his position as the Senate majority whip.
"They are forcing me to take a stand against my community for a mere position. I cannot betray my house because of positions," Khalwale said in response to UDA.
Kwalwale also said that he had politically moved on from UDA and will contest the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in 2027 under a different political party .
The briefing also saw UDA celebrate its candidates' by-election victories, emphasising the party's nationwide appeal while criticising the opposition, which Omar labelled village parties for managing to secure only a few county assembly seats.
Omar also condemned Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for what he described as constant threats and attempts to intimidate independent government institutions, including the IEBC and the police, urging all agencies to act in accordance with the Constitution.
