Mudavadi ‘final’ say in who becomes Malava MP

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is emerging as the force behind who will become the next Member of Parliament for Malava Constituency.

This comes days after President William Ruto nominated names to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and forwarded to Parliament for action.

Ruto last week nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon for the position of chairperson of the IEBC. Ethekon is from Turkana County.

In a statement, Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, said the President has also nominated six other persons as members of the commission.

These are Ann Njeri Nderitu (Nyandarua), Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega), Mary Karen Sorobit, (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu) and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu).

“This preidential action followed the recommendations of the Selection Panel on the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, as transmitted on Tuesday, May 6, 2025,” Koskei said.

The Malava MP’s seat fell vacant following the death of area legislator Moses Malulu Injendi early this year after a short illness.

More than 32 aspirants have declared interest, and alignments are already taken with the area politics, narrowing down to opposition versus government battle.

Among those seeking government-sponsored ticket are Kivaywa High School principal Simon Kangwana, Bungoma High School principal Enock Andanje, commisioner of police Nelson Shilunji Taliti, the late MP’s son Rhyan Injendi, lawyer Leonard Shimaka and West Kabras Member of County Assembly David Ndakwa.

The opposition side has former Kenya School of Government lecturer Caleb Sunguti who is flying the Roots Party ticket, Lawyer and advocate of the High Court Edgar Busiega who is inclining towards Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and the Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako who is yet to hint on his preferred party.

While it is clear that a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party candidate automatically is the official government contender, the opposition side is in confusion as there are many parties.

Also, after the former impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua formed a party which is set to be launched soon, word on the street has it that it will likely field a candidate in the impending by-election.

At the same time, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s move to also form a party at the time he was perceived as the DAP-K’s voice, is seen as a blow to the Opposition’s chances.

It is not a secret that Mudavadi is a darling of the Malava people pegged on the 2013 presidential elections where it was the only constituency the overwhelmingly supported him countrywide.

In addition, it is based on the fact that Ndakwa is being seen as the most strong and sellable candidate, and many argue that he should be handed the ticket as it will hand the government an early win. He is a close ally of Mudavadi.

Ndakwa was elected on the Amani National Congress party that has since been dissolved to join the UDA party.

The late MP also came on the Musalia Mudavadi outfit beating the UDA candidate Seth Panyako.

It is believed that Injendi was voted in courtesy of the long-standing friendship and support Mudavadi enjoys in the area.

Mudavadi still commands respect among the residents owing to his sober approach on many issues, and they are waiting for his signal, which will eventually tilt the outcome of the election.