KAKAMEGA, Kenya — The Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) has nominated Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary-General Seth Panyako as its flagbearer in the Malava parliamentary by-election set for November 27.
Panyako, who seeks to succeed the late Malulu Injendi, emerged as the coalition’s front-runner after topping opinion surveys in all seven wards of the constituency.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa on Thursday said the by-election would serve as a crucial political litmus test ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The Malava by-election will be a big test for the 2027 elections. As an opposition coalition, we used scientific data to identify our candidates, which is why we settled on our DP candidate in Mbeere,” Wamalwa said.
He urged coalition partners to rally behind Panyako and called on youthful voters to register with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“We urge the rest of the coalition’s partners to endorse Panyako, and Gen Zs to turn out in large numbers and register with the IEBC from the 29th of this month,” he added.
Eligibility Challenge
Panyako’s nomination, however, faces a legal hurdle. A petition filed by rival aspirant Caleb Burudi seeks to bar him from contesting, arguing that he failed to resign from public office within the legally required timeline.
The petition claims Panyako should have stepped down as a LAPFUND board member by August 15 — a week after IEBC declared the Malava seat vacant — but failed to do so, making him ineligible to participate in party nominations or the election.
Despite the challenge, Wamalwa defended Panyako’s eligibility and maintained that he is best suited to represent the party in the race.
The by-election is shaping up to be a high-stakes contest as opposition parties test their strength in Western Kenya, a region expected to play a pivotal role in the 2027 polls.
