Seth Panyako, the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate in the Malava constituency by-election, was arrested on Thursday, November 27, 2025, amid a volatile electoral environment marked by violence and serious allegations. His detention at Malava Police Station occurred on the morning of the election, following a chaotic night of events that have drawn sharp condemnation from opposition figures and raised concerns over the conduct of the poll.

The arrest took place just hours after a vehicle belonging to DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa was shot at and set ablaze by a mob in Manyonje, Butali Ward. This incident compounded an already tense situation, as Panyako himself had alleged an assassination attempt at his hotel on the eve of the by-election. Speaking to the media on Thursday morning after casting his vote, a visibly distressed Panyako claimed that "government-sponsored criminals" had attacked his hotel room with the intent to harm him and his wife. He asserted that his driver was seriously injured during the Wednesday night attack and was receiving treatment at Webuye Hospital.

In a statement released on Thursday, DAP-K condemned the arrest as an act of intimidation, claiming that unidentified "goons" had terrorized Panyako throughout the night, injured party agents, and destroyed property, allegedly while under police supervision. The party has demanded his immediate and unconditional release and called for an independent investigation into the escalating violence and the conduct of security agencies. As of Thursday afternoon, the National Police Service had not issued a formal statement regarding the arrest or the broader security situation in Malava.

A High-Stakes Political Contest

The Malava by-election, held to fill the seat left vacant by the death of MP Malulu Injendi in February 2025, is considered a significant political test. The race has been framed as a two-horse contest between Panyako, a vocal government critic and former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) official, and UDA's David Ndakwa. The constituency has become a battleground for national political heavyweights, with senior Kenya Kwanza administration figures, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, campaigning for Ndakwa. Panyako, in turn, has been backed by prominent opposition leaders.

The campaign period was fraught with accusations of intimidation and planned electoral malpractice. Days before the poll, Panyako alleged a government plot to arrest opposition leaders, including himself and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, to manipulate the election outcome. These tensions were further fueled by the withdrawal of security details for several opposition-allied figures, including Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Governor Natembeya, a move Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen defended as standard procedure based on police intelligence.

Allegations of Electoral Malpractice

Alongside the violence, the by-election has been shadowed by widespread allegations of voter bribery and planned rigging. Panyako and his party accused the ruling administration of a coordinated scheme to influence the vote through bribery and the use of pre-marked ballot papers. Videos circulating online appeared to show residents receiving money and food parcels, prompting DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa to demand action from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In response, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon stated on Tuesday, November 25, that the commission was aware of the videos but could not verify their authenticity without a formal complaint. The Malava Returning Officer, Salim Abdalla, also stated on Wednesday that he had not received any official complaints regarding voter bribery. The convergence of violence, arrests, and allegations of electoral misconduct has cast a dark cloud over the Malava by-election, with the final outcome likely to face intense scrutiny regardless of the winner. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED into the official charges against Mr. Panyako and the status of those injured in the overnight violence.