Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa confers with Malava parliamentary by-election UDA candidate David Ndakwa at St Teresa’s Isanjiro Catholic Church in Malava town on Sunday /HILTON OTENYOBroad-based government leaders have intensified campaigns for UDA candidate David Ndakwa ahead of the upcoming Malava parliamentary by-election scheduled for November 27.
They say Ndakwa’s election will strengthen the Western region’s voice in national politics and ensure continued development.
President William Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet has pitched camp in Malava, holding a series of rallies alongside Ndakwa to consolidate support for the ruling party’s candidate.
The campaigns have drawn senior government and political figures, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Co-operatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya and several MPs—Bernard Shinali, Emmanuel Wangwe, Nabii Nabwera, Christopher Aseka, Innocent Mugabe and Titus Khamala—all backing Ndakwa.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa spent the weekend in the constituency, where he launched the construction of Shilongo and Teresia bridges in South Kabras and Manda Shivanga wards on Friday and Saturday before joining campaign rallies.
On Sunday, Barasa attended a church service at St Teresa’s Isanjiro Catholic Church in Malava town, accompanied by Wetang’ula and National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, where the trio rallied voters to support the UDA candidate.
“David Ndakwa understands the needs of the people of Malava and has the experience to champion their priorities in Parliament. We need a leader who can work with both levels of government to deliver tangible results,” Wetang’ula said.
Farouk assured residents the national government would continue prioritising development in Malava.
“The President is keen on ensuring every part of Kenya benefits from government programmes. Having a strong voice like Ndakwa’s in Parliament will make it easier to deliver on that promise,” he said.
Barasa said the county government was ready to work with an MP committed to accelerating local development.
“We have laid the groundwork for major projects in infrastructure, health and agriculture. What Malava needs is an MP who will complement these efforts and lobby for more national resources,” he said.
Ichung’wah stressed the importance of unity among Western Kenya leaders, describing the by-election as an opportunity to deepen collaboration between national and county governments.
“This is not just about politics; it’s about development. We are rallying behind Ndakwa because he represents a new generation of leaders focused on service delivery,” he said.
Ndakwa, a former Kakamega county assembly minority leader, pledged to complete projects initiated by his predecessor Malulu Injendi, whose death earlier this year created the vacancy.
“Having served as an MCA for two terms, my focus will be to work for the people of Malava and ensure our constituency does not lag behind in national development,” he said.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has cleared nine candidates to contest the Malava parliamentary by-election.
