The Malava parliamentary by-election has exploded into chaos and high drama, with a second leading candidate breaking down in tears, getting arrested, and accusing opponents of plotting his assassination. The vote count, now delayed, has thrown the region into a political fever pitch.
According to provisional results, UDA’s David Ndakwa holds a narrow lead. Tallying from polling stations shows Ndakwa with 21,264 votes against his main rival, DAP-K’s Seth Panyako, who garnered 19,306. However, the situation on the ground is anything but settled.
Senator Cleophas Malala has officially demanded a recount, throwing the final declaration into uncertainty. The tension boiled over dramatically when Seth Panyako, visibly distressed, broke down in screams and tears at a polling station. He alleged that his supporters were facing threats and violent attacks.
The situation escalated further when Panyako was subsequently arrested at a local police station. In a fiery outburst captured on video, the emotional candidate declared, “The only way UDA wins is by assassinating me!” This shocking statement has electrified the political scene, highlighting the bitter and high-stakes nature of the contest.
Meanwhile, in the Embu MP race, UDA’s Leo Wa Muthende Njeru clinched a narrow victory with 15,540 votes (45.8%), defeating his closest competitor, Newton Kariuki Ndwiga of the Democratic Party, who secured 15,141 votes (44.6%).
All eyes remain on Malava as the recount process begins. The combination of a razor-thin margin, a candidate’s emotional meltdown and arrest, and serious allegations of violence ensures this political battle is far from over, symbolizing the intense tribal and political divisions in the region.
