Ruto’s tactical move that has placed youthful politician ahead of Malava MP hopefuls
President William Ruto has left the stage open for the replacement of Malava MP, Moses Malulu Injendi, after he tactfully refused to endorse one of the late legislator’s sons for the now vacant position.
Attempts had been earlier made to persuade the Head of State to declare his support for one of Malulu’s sons as the right candidate to seek for the seat during a by-election.
But as he rose to address mourners during Malulu’s burial on March 4, Ruto avoided touching on the issue and instead decided to go the parental way of advising the late MP’s sons on values of a family.
He tactically chose to reminisce his good times with the family of the late MP reminding his sons that he will assume the role of their late father and guide them accordingly.
Leading in trying to get the President wade into the succession politics of Malava was COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli who had charged the crowd in supporting one of Malulu’s sons as the best replacement.
Another section of the late MP were equally pushing for his elder son Ryan, to declare his interest but he also chose not to do so, signaling an early death to their mission.
However, this idea has received monumental backlash with residents declaring that Malava is not a monarch where the seat has to be held by the family. This has thrust one of the youngest aspirants to the top of the list of hopefuls.
The conversation about who is to take over from Malulu has already gained momentum with various camps and leaders including MCAs positioning themselves.
For instance, Kakamega County Leader of Minority David Ndakwa who is also the West Kabras MCA has started positioning himself as the right candidate but he was recently served a rude shock when he was booed and jeered and chased from Malulu’s home.
Another MCA, Kevin Mahelo (Chegulo/Butali) is being mentioned as they are both pro-government even though Mahelo is seen as a light weight.
However, youthfull politician Edgar Busiega Mwanga has emerged as the most favourite, this was so even before the death of the MP.
Ever since he declared his intention to run for the seat, the young Advocate of the High Court has given other hopefuls a run for their money as he stands out as more approachable, hands-on, solid and resonates well with the youthful population.
A calculating and respectable young leader, Busiega warmed the hearts of many residents with his humble demeanour as he mourned the fallen MP with decorum without show off as politicised by the others.
While he chose the civil way of mourning with family without razzmatazz, the other hopefuls were falling over their heels to outdo each other by showcasing the types of bulls they had donated to the late MP’s family to be slaughtered to provide food for the mourners.
There was a near stampede at the home of the late MP as the hopefuls fought for space to pose for photos with their bulls to post on social media in a bid to show off how they participated in Malulu’s sendoff.
However, it was the youthful politician who would later steal the show by being placed just a few seats behind the President during the service, interacting with the bereaved family closely besides other leaders from across the country.
He has since confirmed that he will be in the race to pick over from where Malulu left and with his ever growing support both on the ground and over social media, his competitors are set for a rough ride.
Others whose names are being mentioned for the by-election include former Malava Boys Principal Daniel Mwachi, Bungoma High School Principal Enock Andanje, Lewis Shitanda, Benjamin Nalwa, Joab Manyasi, Shilunji Taliti and Caleb Sunguti.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako has also indicated that he will be vying even though pundits intimate that he is just blowing hot and cold.
Also, pressure is mounting on the Independent Electoral boundaries Commission man Amosi Chilai and Kivaywa High School principal Simon Kangwana to join the race.
