Malava By-Election: Kakamega ODM Legislators Rally Residents to Vote for Government-Allied MP
- Campaigns for the Malava parliamentary seat are starting to heat up after the IEBC set the by-election date
- Over 10 candidates from different political parties have expressed interest in the seat that became vacant following the death of Malulu Injendi
- A section of ODM legislators in Kakamega county has already hit the ground, rallying voters to support a candidate allied to the broad-based government
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A section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislators in Kakamega county has asked locals in Malava Constituency to ensure their new Member of Parliament (MP) is allied with the government.
Source: Facebook
Led by Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka and Kakamega county woman representative Elsie Muhanda, the legislators asked locals to dismiss any attempts to vote for an MP from the opposition party.
Malava is one of the several constituencies across the country that will be holding a by-election to elect a new MP following the death of their legislator, Malulu Injendi.
Who is ODM supporting in Malava by-election?
As campaigns for the seat start gaining momentum after a by-election date was set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Kakamega ODM legislators insist the Malava MP seat has to remain in a party supporting the broad-based government.
They said the former legislator was a good leader with an open heart, and the locals must vote in a person who has the same qualities.
"My good people of Malava, I urge you to elect someone who will bring developments and from the broad-based government," Aseka said.
He, however, called for peace and unity during the campaigning period.
Similar sentiments were shared by the Kakamega woman representative. According to the legislator, Malava Constituency has many projects initially started by the late MP, and only a successor on the government side will be able to ensure they are completed.
“Let us maintain peace because without it, we cannot have development. If we want development, we must vote for someone who has a perfect relationship with the broad-based government,” Muhanda said.
Who are the frontrunners in the Malava MP by-election?
The Malava by-election has so far attracted over ten candidates. UDA has not yet settled on a candidate who will fly its flag in the by-election, slated for November.
Currently, the party has at least four candidates eyeing the ticket, including David Ndakwa, Simon Kangwana, David Kivishi and the late MP’s son Ryan Injendi.
Source: Facebook
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) is fronting Edgar Busiega as its candidate, whereas the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has Joab Manyasi.
ODM and Ford Kenya, which are part of the broad-based government, are yet to unveil their candidate. It remains unclear if they will have a candidate or throw their weight behind the individual who will be picked by UDA.
Will DCP and DAP-K field candidates in Malava by-election?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that a row was simmering within the opposition over the upcoming Malava parliamentary by-election.
This is after DCP asked DAP-K to withdraw its candidate from the race.
DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala had argued that for the unity of the opposition, the Eugene Wamalwa-led party should support their candidate, Edgar Busiega. However, DAP-K is fronting nurses' union boss Seth Panyako.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
Rasto Wamalwa Rasto Wamalwa is a political and current affairs journalist with over five years of experience in broadcast and print media. I have worked in various radio stations such as Bk Radio, Mitume Fm, Khendo Fm and Radio Matumaini. I also served as a news correspondent at The Kenya Times, Countysplash newspaper and Shahidi online news. I am based in Kakamega county.
