David Ndakwa edges out Seth Panyako as UDA retains Malava seat
David Ndakwa captured the seat with 21,564 votes, outpacing Panyako, who garnered 20,210 votes in what turned out to be a razor-thin finish.
David Athman Ndakwa of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has emerged victorious in the Malava Constituency by-election, narrowly defeating his closest challenger, Seth Panyako of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
The race, closely watched across Kakamega County, concluded on Thursday with results confirmed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
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Returning Officer Salim Abdalla Salim announced that Ndakwa captured the seat with 21,564 votes, outpacing Panyako, who garnered 20,210 votes in what turned out to be a razor-thin finish. Wilberforce Indai of Kenya Moja came in third, receiving 626 votes.
The by-election recorded a turnout of 46.2 per cent, with 43,675 voters casting their ballots out of 94,417 registered across 198 polling stations. The results, which were declared final, signal a competitive political environment in a constituency that has become a significant testing ground for party influence in western Kenya.
The contest was triggered by the death of Malava MP Malulu Injendi, leaving the seat vacant and prompting an intense campaign by candidates seeking to consolidate political support.
Ndakwa, previously serving as the minority leader in the Kakamega County Assembly, leveraged his local experience and connections in the constituency, while Panyako positioned himself as a strong voice challenging government policies.
Throughout the campaign, both candidates engaged in vigorous outreach, including door-to-door visits, community meetings, and rallies across the constituency’s seven wards.
Analysts observed that the close finish demonstrates not only the personal popularity of the candidates but also the broader political dynamics within the county, reflecting voter sentiments towards both UDA and DAP-K.
After confirming the results, Salim presented Ndakwa with the certificate of election, formally recognising him as the incoming Member of Parliament.
The victory is expected to strengthen UDA’s presence in the county while highlighting the party’s ability to mobilise voters even in tightly contested areas.
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