Panyako shakes Ruto’s Malava UDA camp

The move by Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Secretary General Seth Panyako to resign from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has shaken President William Ruto’s in Malava to the core.

Panyako, a seasoned politician and activist, was the party’s candidate in the last election for the seat of Malava MP but was defeated by Moses Malulu Injendi, who is now deceased.

Panyako is seen as a strong contestant given his performance in the last elections where he came second with 20,133 against Malulu’s 22,891 votes.

He contested his loss at in the court but Malulu’s victory was confirmed.

The by-election will be an acid test for the rulling and opposition side as the area seems to be inclining towards the opposition, and this may have informed the decision by Panyako to quit the rulling party where he served as an official and founding member.

Word has it that he has been assured a direct ticket in the former Defense minister Eugene Wamalwa led Democratic Action party of Kenya (DAP-K) and soon a rally to unveil him will be held in the area.

This has dealt a blow to individuals who had hoped to use the party with hope of nominations as Wamalwa is said noted that Panyako is a worth candidate who can mount a campaign that can easily deliver the position to his party.

It understood that Wamalwa sees no reason of subjecting Panyako to nominations with other candidates as this will leave him financially strained before elections and was reaching out to other aspirants to hold shelve their bids.

Among those who had shown interest to use the party are politician and security expert Enock Makanga, politician Caleb Burudi, and former high school principal Daniel Mwachi.