Political Allegiances Tested in High-Stakes Malava Campaign

KAKAMEGA – A fierce political storm has erupted in Kakamega County, with Senator Boni Khalwale publicly accusing Deputy Governor Ayub Savula of being financially compromised by state operatives to sabotage his own party's campaign in the upcoming Malava Constituency by-election. The claim, made on Friday, 14th November 2025, EAT, during a rally for the Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) candidate Seth Panyoko, has intensified an already volatile political environment, spotlighting the fragile nature of party loyalty and the strategic realignments underway in Western Kenya.

Dr. Khalwale, a member of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), alleged that the state intervened to 'buy' Mr. Savula, the Deputy Party Leader of DAP-K, to counter Khalwale's own influential support for the DAP-K candidate. This move is particularly notable as Khalwale is defying his own party, UDA, which is fielding David Ndakwa. Khalwale claims that President William Ruto's aide, Farouk Kibet, orchestrated the move to bring Savula on board to neutralize his efforts on the ground. "They tried to sway me with money three times, but I consistently refused," Khalwale stated at the rally, implying Savula had accepted a similar offer.

Savula Cites Party Infighting, Need for Government Cooperation

In response to his controversial endorsement of the UDA candidate, Mr. Savula has cited deep-seated divisions and a lack of unity within his own DAP-K party as the primary motivation for his decision. He specifically pointed to a public feud between DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa and First Deputy Party Leader George Natembeya, arguing their wrangles made a harmonious campaign for their candidate, Seth Panyako, impossible. "The wrangles between our party leadership have made it difficult to conduct harmonious campaigns... which projects disunity and confuses voters," Savula stated on Monday, 10th November 2025. He further justified his alignment with the UDA candidate as a strategic necessity for the region's development. "My responsibility is to work hand in hand with the government to guarantee seamless development for our residents. Party politics should not stand in the way of progress," Savula explained, framing his support within a 'broad-based government' framework. As of this report, Savula has not issued a direct public denial of the specific bribery allegation made by Khalwale. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

Party Discipline Under Scrutiny

The open defiance by both senior politicians has put their respective parties in a difficult position, forcing questions about party discipline. The UDA has formally commenced disciplinary proceedings against Senator Khalwale. In a notice dated early October 2025, the party's disciplinary committee accused him of gross misconduct and disloyalty for his “open, vocal, conspicuous and substantial support” for a rival candidate, demanding he show cause why action should not be taken against him. Conversely, the official position of DAP-K regarding its Deputy Leader, Ayub Savula, actively campaigning for a competitor remains unclear. While Savula has publicly criticized his party's leadership, stating it has become an "appendage" of other political interests, the party has not yet issued a formal public statement on whether it will pursue disciplinary measures against him. DETAILS UNCONFIRMED.

Malava: A Litmus Test for 2027

The by-election, scheduled for Thursday, 27th November 2025, was necessitated by the death of Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi in February 2025. The contest is widely seen as a crucial litmus test for the political alignments and party strengths in Western Kenya, a critical swing-vote bloc, ahead of the 2027 General Election. The bizarre cross-party endorsements—a UDA senator backing a DAP-K candidate, and a DAP-K deputy leader backing a UDA candidate—underscore the complex and often personal nature of politics in the region. Governor Fernandes Barasa (ODM), Savula's superior in the county government, is also reportedly supporting the UDA candidate, further complicating the political matrix. This election is not merely about filling a vacant parliamentary seat; it is a proxy battle for regional supremacy, testing the cohesion of both the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition forces, and offering a preview of the political realignments that may define the run-up to 2027.