Farouk Kibet, MP Emmanuel Wangwe and others dance in Malava during an empowerment drive on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
President William Ruto’s close aide, Farouk Kibet, on Saturday led a team of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders in an empowerment drive in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County, as the ruling party intensifies its grassroots presence ahead of an anticipated by-election.
The UDA delegation, which included MPs Johanna Ng’eno (Emurua Dikirr), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), and UDA treasurer Japheth Nyakundi, presided over the event focused on economic empowerment for women and youth under the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
According to the UDA Party, the empowerment programme aligns
with the government’s broader development goals aimed at transforming
livelihoods and improving living standards across the country.
"Nyakundi, alongside fellow MPs Johanna Ng’eno and Emmanuel Wangwe, engaged residents on ongoing government programmes that are transforming livelihoods and improving standards of living across Kenya," the Party said in a statement.
The Malava visit comes ahead of a by-election triggered by
the death of the area MP, Malulu Injendi, a loyal ally of President Ruto. Malulu was elected on Musalia Mudavadi's ANC party, which folded into UDA.
The constituency has since attracted political interest,
with several aspirants emerging to fill the vacant seat.
Among those eyeing the UDA ticket is Ryan Malulu, son of the late MP.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is expected to
spearhead UDA’s campaigns in the constituency once the Independent Electoral
and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) sets the election date.
Mudavadi, who folded his Amani National Congress (ANC) party into UDA in 2023, is seen as a key player in consolidating support for the Kenya Kwanza administration in the run-up to the 2027 General Election.
A fierce contest is shaping up, with the Kenya National
Union of Nurses (KNUN) Secretary General, Seth Panyako, entering the race on a
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa have been actively campaigning in the area to bolster Panyako’s bid.
On the other hand, the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), led
by UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, unveiled Edgar Busiega Mwanga as its
candidate for the seat.
Malava Constituency remains a strategic focus for the UDA
Party, which has termed the empowerment drive part of its people-first approach
to development.
