- Sibling rivalry in the opposition is likely to culminate in irreconcilable feuds that might threaten the faction’s unity
- The by-election in Malava will be the litmus test; parties within the opposition are jostling for the parliamentary seat
- The Eugene Wamalwa-led DAP-K wants its DCP sister to cede the by-election, but the latter is determined to have its candidate on the ballot
The oncoming by-elections might be a make-or-break situation for the opposition as the member parties jostle for the seats in contention.
Source: Twitter
The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) has threatened to ditch the united opposition if the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) under former president Rigathi Gachagua decides to field a candidate in the Malava by-election.
The DAP-K party led by Eugene Wamalwa settled on Seth Panyako as its candidate.
Why DAP-K might not be opposition member
Speaking on the campaign trail on Wednesday, October 8, one of the DAP-K officials warned that the party would sever ties with the other outfits in the opposition if the Gachagua-led faction proceeds with fielding its candidate in the by-election.
“We hear that there is someone seeking to field a candidate in Malava, yet we have a candidate. We warn that if their candidate is going to be cleared by IEBC, then we will cut our ties and forge our path alone. I am angry that we are in a coalition and someone is bringing in a candidate to confuse us,” the official said in presence of Eugene.
Who will DCP field in Malava by-election?
However, even with the DAP-K’s threat, the DCP party insists on fielding its candidate.
Edgar Busiega will be flying the DCP’s ticket against other contenders.
Also on the ballot will be the UDA party’s David Ndakwa.
In an update on Wednesday, in an open defiance of the DAP-K’s advisory, DCP said Busiega would present his papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for clearance.
“Tomorrow … 9th October 2025, all roads lead to Malava Boys as DCP Party Candidate, Wakili Edgar Busiega Mwanga Presents his papers to IEBC,” the paerty indicated.
The by-election was occasioned by the death of Malulu Injendi, who was serving his third term as MP.
Injendi died in February this year.
He was elected in 2013 and successfully defended the seat in the 2017 and 2022 elections; in all the instances, he used an ANC party ticket.
Why Gachagua’s DCP party bowed out of Mbeere North by-election
In their arrangement, the opposition agreed to cede where a sister outfit had won in the 2022 elections. Where none of them won, the parties would be free to field their respective candidates.
Source: Twitter
An instance is drawn from the Mbeere North MP by-election, in which all the opposition parties agreed to let the DP party field its candidate. This because the former MP had been elected on the party’s ticket.
As a show of unity, all the outfits in the opposition would rally behind the DP candidate.
The Mbeere North MP seat fell vacant following the nomination of Geoffrey Ruku into the Cabinet.
Ruku was the only DP candidate elected to parliament in the 2022 General Election.
The party is led by former Attorney General Justin Muturi, who also hails from Mbeere North.
Ruku, who is a President William Ruto stalwart, distanced himself from DP ever since his call-up to the Cabinet, and currently backs the UDA candidate in the by-election.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
