Mudavadi deals Opposition upper-cut blow as he winds up Malava by-election campaigns in style

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi staged a pivotal as he camped in Malava for the final stretch of a series of campaigns for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate in the November 27 by-election David Ndakwa.

Since Friday last week, Mudavadi has been traversing various parts of the vast constituency and leading key strategic meetings to give the last kick to Ndakwa’s victory.

On Friday, Mudavadi led a brigade of senior politicians from Western Kenya to drum up support for Ndakwa at a mega rally held in Malava Primary School grounds.

“On 27th November 2025, the people of Malava will exercise their democratic right to choose the leader who will represent them in Parliament. The ballot paper will not have a photo of Mudavadi, Oparanya or Farouk. The ballot paper will have the faces of the sons of Malava, be wise and make the right choice.” Mudavadi told the rally.

“The people of Malava now it is your time. For us we have campaigned and convinced you to vote for our candidate Ndakwa. Now, it is you to act like the traditional circumcisers since the initiates are before you on Thursday.” urged Mudavadi.

The Prime CS has been consistent during the campaign trail saying from experience he firmly believes that Ndakwa embodies the values, clarity, and commitment needed to steer Malava toward a stronger and more prosperous future.

“Development must continue to guide the delivery of services to our citizens, and this can only be achieved when we remain united and support leaders who genuinely put Malava first.” he said.

“Malava people you have always enjoyed being part of the Government. We are presenting Ndakwa as the broad-based candidate. He has the blessings of the President and all the players within the broad-based arrangement, tafadhali msiniaibishe.” he remarked.

Mudavadi spent the entire Saturday campaigning for Ndakwa while on Sunday he engineered and witnessed the public withdrawal from the race of the popular candidate from the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Joab Burudi Manyasi from the contest.

Analysts say the Sunday move by Manyasi, a preferably strong candidate in the race shook Malava’s political landscape setting off waves of speculation across the constituency on what the outcomes will be.

They further pin-point that the twist came at a critical moment calling it a game-changing, strategic move that could redefine the final stretch of the Malava contest.

The Manyasi factor has been deeply analysed based on his loyal support base in the previous elections where by in 2022 he was 3rd when he vied under the ODM ticket garnering 11,983 votes against the late Moses Malulu Injendi (ANC) who won with 22,891 Votes and Seth Panyako under UDA got 20,133 Votes.

Further a trail, in 2017 Manyasi was 2nd to Malulu when he vied with FORD-K Party and garnered 18,796 Votes against Malulu who won with 21,344 Votes.

“This decision is not a sign of weakness from our brother Manyasi, but a sign of strength that demonstrates unity of purpose from a leader who is pragmatic and who has always put the interests of the people of Malava first.” said Mudavadi on Sunday.

During the final campaigns Mudavadi has described Ndakwa as a trustworthy leader who will follow in the footsteps of the late Malulu Injendi in ensuring that the development projects initiated are completed, the education and agricultural sectors are stable and employment is created for the youth.

Mudavadi also said Ndakwa has a soft spot for the women of Malava and his leadership will see women groups and chama’s empowered, and the women given equal opportunities like the men.

“Mimi namfahamu huyu Ndakwa amekuwa MCA kwa chama change cha ANC na nimefanya kazi na yeye kwa karibu. Huyu ni kiongozi ambaye atahakikisha kwamba kuna usawa na haki, wanaoishi na ulemavu na vijana pia wamehusishwa kwenye mipangilio ya uongozi wake,” noted Mudavadi.

“We want the people of Malava to elect a leader whom the President will be comfortable to work with. Rais akiwa ameketi na Ndakwa na kuna maji yake hapo kwa glass, tunamtaka rais akirejea kutoka nje, asiwe na wasi wasi wa kuendele kunywa maji yake.” Mudavadi added.

The Malava parliamentary seat fell vacant on February 17 this year following the death of local MP Moses Malulu Injendi of the Amani National Congress (ANC).

Like Malulu, Ndakwa was re-elected in 2022 on the ANC ticket, a party then led by Mudavadi.
Further Mudavadi’s patronage has seen the UDA nomination losers throw their weight behind Ndakwa.

Through reconciliatory efforts masterminded by Mudavadi and President William Ruto’s personal assistant Farouk Kibet, the UDA nomination losers Simon Kangwana, Leonard Shimaka and Ryan Injendi’, the son of Malulu, agreed to give Ndakwa all their support.

On Monday, Prime CS Mudavadi announced the appointments of, Simon Kangwana, who was picked as an Education Attachee in the Kenyan Mission in Uganda, while Rhyan Injendi Malulu will be a Trade Attachee in the Kenyan Embassy in South Africa.

Another aspirant, Leonard Shimaka was last month appointed a Commissioner at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for three years.

“The president has kept his word on the UDA aspirants, since I said before the party nominations that I will be the advocate for the aspirants who will not be successful as long as they don’t ditch the party. I want to tell the people of Malava that serikali ya Ruto na mimi nikiwa hapo tukiahidi tunatimiza.”

Mudavadi explained as he urged the electorate to believe in the Government and vote for Ndakwa.

On paper, Ndakwa has all along been viewed as the front-runner. In addition to experience and State support, Ndakwa hails from the Bashuu clan, the most populous among the Kabras sub-tribe.

Should his entire ethnic group rally solidly behind him, then the Kabras West ward representative obviously have a head start in the campaigns, considering that both Ryan Injendi and Joab Manyasi who are drawn from the Basonje clan, the second largest of 29 that firm the Kabras sub-tribe have also declared support for him.

Mudavadi has also been at the centre in making sure interventions made by the people of Malava requesting for the completion of Malava-Ikoli road, Malava-Samitsi road at Lukala, Namanja water project, Sikhuyu water project, Malava Medical Training College and the construction of students hostels at Shamberere National Polytechnic and Kabras West Sub-County headquarters are actualized.

He also successfully pushed for the gazettement and staffing of the new administrative units in East Kabras and Kabras West Sub-Counties namely; Chesero and Chivanga Divisions, Nguvuli Location and Mukhuyu and Shivagala Sub Locations in East Kabras; Shirugu/Mugai Division, Chevoso and Shikutse Locations, Indulusia and Bukhakunga Sub Locations in Kabras West.

All attention is on Malava now. It is only a matter of hours before the voters of Malava go to the ballot to elect a new Member of Parliament.

With the by-election taking a homestretch, it remains to be seen whether the Opposition will fish out from its bag of tricks that can effectively counter Mudavadi’s masterstroke in the 198 polling stations come Thursday.