MALAVA, KENYA – United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa has strongly refuted calls for his disqualification from the fiercely contested Malava constituency by-election, labelling accusations of violence and intimidation as political “sideshows.” The demand for his removal was issued on Thursday, November 27, 2025, by Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, following serious allegations of an attack on his party's candidate, Seth Panyako.

Speaking to the press on Thursday morning after casting his vote at Mukongolo polling station, Mr. Ndakwa asserted his commitment to a peaceful electoral process. “The blackmail that is going around from my opponents, those are sideshows. I want to state categorically, if anything, I have been the peaceful candidate in this election,” he stated. Ndakwa maintained that he has conducted a clean campaign, avoiding direct attacks on his rivals and respecting their political strongholds. “I am trying to show exemplary leadership by putting humility first as a character because I don’t have to let people bleed for me to lead,” he added.

Allegations of Violence and Assassination Plot

The controversy erupted after the DAP-K candidate, Seth Panyako, claimed there was an assassination attempt on him and his wife on the eve of the by-election. Panyako alleged that “government-sponsored criminals” attacked his hotel room on Wednesday night, an incident that left his driver seriously injured. “The government machinery, together with criminals, attacked my hotel, and the aim of the attack was to assassinate my wife and me,” Panyako claimed on Thursday morning.

In response to the alleged attack, Eugene Wamalwa placed the blame on the UDA camp and called for immediate action from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). “We want to tell the IEBC that this UDA candidate should be disqualified for going to the extent of wanting to harm his opponent,” Wamalwa stated, also accusing police of being used as a “tool of violence.” The incident has significantly heightened tensions in a by-election already seen as a critical political test.

A High-Stakes Political Battleground

The Malava by-election, triggered by the death of Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi in February 2025, is a key battleground for influence in Western Kenya between President William Ruto’s UDA and the opposition. The race has been framed as a two-horse contest between UDA's Ndakwa and DAP-K's Panyako, who represents a united opposition front.

The political dynamics are complex, reflecting shifting national alliances. In a notable move in September 2025, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a major opposition party, endorsed the UDA candidate Ndakwa, citing a “broad-based government arrangement.” This has positioned the DAP-K, an Azimio coalition member, in direct competition with the UDA, which is backed by other regional heavyweights like Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.

Despite the accusations, Ndakwa expressed confidence in the electoral process and his victory, urging voters to turn out in large numbers without fear. He also distanced himself from claims of using state machinery, stating his only connection to the government is his party membership. As of Thursday afternoon, East Africa Time, voting was proceeding under heightened security, with the IEBC yet to formally respond to the disqualification demand. The outcome of the poll is widely seen as a bellwether for political alignments in the Luhya bloc ahead of the 2027 General Election.