MALAVA, KENYA – Tensions flared in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County, on Friday, November 21, 2025, after police officers attempted to block a political rally organised by the United Opposition coalition, leading to a tense standoff with supporters. The confrontation took place just six days before the constituency's highly anticipated parliamentary by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025.

According to multiple media reports and eyewitness accounts, police tried to disperse supporters gathering to prepare for a campaign meeting for the opposition's unified candidate, Seth Panyako of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K). However, frustrated residents and supporters resisted the police action, with some chasing the officers away, insisting on their constitutional right to assemble. The rally, which featured prominent national opposition figures, eventually proceeded despite the initial disruption.

Leaders from the United Opposition, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang'i, condemned the police action, framing it as an attempt by the government to intimidate voters and sabotage their campaigns. Speaking at the rally, Musyoka alleged there was a government plan to use teargas to suppress voter turnout on polling day. Matiang'i echoed these sentiments, encouraging the community to remain firm.

A High-Stakes Political Contest

The Malava by-election was occasioned by the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Malulu Injendi, in February 2025. The race is widely seen as a crucial political litmus test for both the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the newly consolidated United Opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election. The contest pits Panyako, who is also the Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), against UDA's David Ndakwa.

In a significant show of unity, the opposition coalition announced on November 3, 2025, that it would field a single candidate to avoid splitting the vote. This led to Edgar Busiega of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) stepping down to support Panyako. The campaign has attracted national political heavyweights from both sides, underscoring its significance in the shifting political landscape of Western Kenya.

Leaders allied with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, campaigning for UDA's Ndakwa, have accused the opposition of inciting tensions. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula have been campaigning for Ndakwa, promising that adequate security will be provided on election day to prevent intimidation.

A Pattern of Disrupted Rallies

The incident in Malava is not isolated. Civil society groups and political analysts have warned of a shrinking democratic space in Kenya, citing a pattern of police violently disrupting opposition rallies. A report from August 2025 noted at least three consecutive weekends where opposition gatherings were met with police force, including in Gilgil, Murang'a County, and Subukia. Human Rights Watch, in its World Report 2025, noted that Kenya's human rights record had deteriorated, with authorities restricting the right to peaceful protest through heavy-handed crackdowns.

These actions have led to accusations that the National Police Service is being used as a political tool to suppress dissent. In November 2025, the Kenyan government responded to inquiries from UN rapporteurs on rights violations by stating that the matters were under investigation by independent constitutional bodies and that the country upholds freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly. However, critics maintain that the recurring disruptions to opposition activities suggest a coordinated effort to stifle political competition. The confrontations continue to fuel a tense political atmosphere as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.