Malava’s political maverick: Malulu Injendi’s impressive track record, unyielding quest for re-election

Hate him or love him, there is no doubt that Malava Member of Parliament (MP) Moses Malulu Injendi is and currently remains the man of the people to his electorate.

His decision to go for a fourth term may be a well-calculated move.

For those who know him, the former Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) don never misses his targets. Many say he doesn’t listen to the masses but relies on his judgment, ultimately communicating his decisions firmly.

Injendi rose to power in 2013, succeeding former Housing Minister Soita Shitanda, who unsuccessfully vied for the Kakamega County gubernatorial position, losing to then National Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya in the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.

At the time, Musalia Mudavadi’s United Democratic Forum (UDF) party was the most popular in the region. Unfortunately, Injendi was forced out during the primaries in favour of Alfred Saidi Khasavuli, as his name was intentionally removed from the party ballots.

He then joined the little-known Maendeleo Democratic Party (MDP) led by the late Hamisi Muganda, winning against strong candidates like the late Musavini Sakaya Nambwa of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Khasavuli of UDF.

Injendi embarked on his journey as the leader of one of the largest constituencies in Kakamega County, breaking the monotony of a specific class enjoying privileges from the National Government Constituency Development Fund.

Before his ascent, few parents were aware of the existence of the Constituency Bursary. But todate, Injendi has made it accessible to all, ensuring every household with school-going children benefits, albeit with small amounts.

While known headteachers were previously allocated projects in their schools, Injendi has supervised many projects across the constituency, with over 180 schools—both secondary and primary—each having a project.

More than 20 new schools have been set up, including Kimang’eti Girls, Namatala, Tumbeni, and Manda Secondary Schools, which are now serving the communities well.

The upgrading of the Navakholo-Ikoli Road to bitumen standards, the transformation of Shamberere Technical Training Institute into a National Polytechnic, and the ongoing construction of Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) at Malanga next to the empowerment centre are significant milestones to his name.

These projects will remain as permanent landmarks in the area’s development history long after Injendi is gone.

In social life, Injendi rarely misses to join in mourning together with the people, attends education functions, and interacts with individuals, endearing himself to the electorate and giving him a head start.

More than 10 candidates are set to challenge him, but it will be an uphill task as most lack a strong ground. Injendi still lives in the hearts of the majority of the electorate who believe in his actions.