David vs. Goliath: Young lawyer daring to break 15-year reign of incumbent Malava MP

Is Edgar Busiega Mwanga the David of the Bible who will bring down Goliath and seize power after 15 years of the incumbent? This question is on the minds of many voters across the constituency.

At just 37 years old, Edgar Busiega Mwanga is giving Malava Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi sleepless nights. Many believe Busiega carries the one stone needed, like David, to bring down Goliath, in this case, the MP.

Quoting Joshua 21:45: “Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass,” Busiega states he is a firm believer in God, who has guided him through life’s challenges.”

In an interview with Mulembe News, Busiega expressed that navigating Malava constituency and ascending to the parliamentary seat in the upcoming 2027 General Election is unstoppable, and that God will provide a way.

Born on April 3, 1987, in Shitirira village of Malava subcounty, Kakamega county, Busiega is from a family where high discipline was the norm, influenced by his late grandfather, Dr. Arthur Burudi Mwanga, who ran Musingu Clinic.

Busiega’s journey began in 1993 at St. Teresa’s Isanjiro Primary School. He later attended Moi Primary School in Bungoma, where he completed his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2001. His school life was modest, and he spent weekends tending to his grandfather’s livestock, a task he still enjoys.

Busiega attended St. Mary’s Kibabii High School, completing his secondary education in 2005. Despite his Catholic school education, he never considered the priesthood and is happily married with two children. He then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Law at Moi University, actively participating in university politics.

In 2012, Busiega joined the Kenya School of Law for a postgraduate diploma and was admitted to the bar in 2014. He has engaged in pro bono work with various organizations, including the Legal Aid Centre of Eldoret and the Christian Legal Education Aid and Research. He also organized several legal aid clinics in Malava subcounty, offering free legal services to the community.

After working at several law firms, including Khaminwa and Co. Advocates, Wetangula, Adan, and Makokha Advocates, and Kithi and Co. Advocates, Busiega opened his own law firm, Busiega Mwanga and Co. Advocates. His expertise lies in complex litigation, and he enjoys practicing in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He is also a certified mediator and arbitrator.

Driven by his love for learning, Busiega is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Law (LLM) in Democracy and Governance at the University of Nairobi.

As one of the most successful individuals in Malava constituency, he has entered the political arena, aiming for the parliamentary seat currently held by Malulu Injendi.

However, he is not alone in this quest. Other contenders, including Commissioner of Police Nelson Shilunji, Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako, and Government Survey Director Benjamin Nalwa, have also shown interest and are campaigning across the constituency.

Busiega is determined to win, confident in his ability to overcome the challenges ahead. At just 37, he is well-positioned, as younger leaders have historically succeeded incumbents in the area.

This trend dates back to 1989 when the late Minister of Health Joshua Angatia took over from Burudi Nabwera, followed by the late Housing Minister Soita Shitanda, and currently Injendi, who succeeded Shitanda.

The youth and women form a significant voting bloc in the constituency, and recent dissatisfaction with Injendi’s actions, such as the fertilizer scandal and the controversial finance bill, may play in Busiega’s favor.

Among the issues Busiega aims to address are poor infrastructure, declining academic standards, and economic empowerment.

He is particularly concerned about the inadequate financial support for high school students from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) and the poverty levels in an area with two sugar factories, West and Butali.

Busiega’s determination and plans for the constituency position him as a strong contender for the parliamentary seat in Malava.