Malava by-election

Two United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirants from Malava Constituency who lost in the party primaries have been appointed to diplomatic positions in Uganda and South Africa, in a move that comes days ahead of the Malava by-election.

The appointments, announced on Monday by Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, were for Simon Kangwana, who will serve as Education Attachee at the Kenyan Mission in Uganda, and Rhyan Injendi Malulu, named Trade Attachee at the Kenyan Embassy in South Africa.

The two were among three aspirants promised government positions by President William Ruto in exchange for backing David Ndakwa, the ruling party’s candidate in the by-election.

The by-election was triggered by the death of Malava MP Malulu Injendi. Ndakwa is set to contest the Malava seat on Thursday under the UDA banner. Another aspirant, Leonard Shimaka, was last month appointed a Commissioner at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for a three-year term.

During the announcement, Mudavadi called Kangwana and Malulu to the podium to read their appointment letters from his phone, prompting loud cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd, who waved the party’s two-finger salute and chanted the famous two-terms campaign slogan.

Mudavadi urged voters to honour their part of the agreement by electing the UDA candidate, saying President Ruto had fulfilled his promises to the aspirants and to ongoing development projects in Malava.

“The president has kept his word on the UDA aspirants and the development projects currently ongoing in Malava. I ask you to be honourable like you have always been and vote for the UDA candidate,” Mudavadi said, addressing supporters at Malava Primary School on the final day of campaigning.

He emphasized that electing a ruling party MP would enable the constituency to access government services more easily.

“An MP from the ruling party easily accesses government services because of proximity to the President and the government functionaries. The late MP Malulu Injendi left you in government; ensure that you stay inside,” Mudavadi said.

Mudavadi highlighted what he described as the contrast between the UDA candidate and his opposition rival.

“The difference between the UDA candidate and that from the opposition is like night and day. Our candidate has sold his manifesto peacefully and with decorum, while his opponent has been abusive and chaotic,” he said.

The rally also followed a dramatic last-minute development in the Malava race. Joab Burudi Manyasi, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate, officially withdrew from the race on Sunday and declared his support for UDA’s Ndakwa.

Manyasi’s exit, received personally by Mudavadi in Kakamega, has analysts calling it a strategic move that could reshape voter dynamics in the final stretch of the contest.

“This decision is not a sign of weakness from our brother Manyasi, but a sign of strength that demonstrates unity of purpose from a leader who is pragmatic and who has always put the interests of the people of Malava first,” Mudavadi said.

Mudavadi said Manyasi’s support has given the UDA candidate renewed momentum heading into Thursday’s polls.

“Victory is indeed coming. The people of Malava Constituency have resolved not to gamble with their votes and know where to place their bet on Thursday, November 27,” he said.

The appointments and political developments signal a last-minute consolidation of UDA support in Malava, with the party appearing poised to secure the seat in the upcoming by-election.