Ruto steps in after talks by UDA Malava aspirants fail

President William Ruto is expected to give directions on how the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will pick its candidate for the Malava parliamentary by-election after consensus talks among the four aspirants failed.

The contenders, lawyer Leonard Shimaka, former principal Simon Kangwana, West Kabras MCA David Ndakwa and Ryan Injendi, son of the late MP Malulu Injendi were unable to agree during two days of negotiations in Nairobi.

A day-long meeting between the aspirants and party officials led by secretary general Hassan Omar at the party headquarters stretched late into Wednesday night but ended without resolution.

“They were allowed to consult among themselves and later meet the party’s National Elections Board on Thursday before holding discussions with President William Ruto,” said a source familiar with the talks.

 “When they met the President, none was willing to step aside for the other. All insisted on going to nominations, leaving the matter unresolved. The President is expected to give direction on Monday [today].”

Unless Ruto, as party leader, directs otherwise, the four will face off in the party primaries scheduled for September 20.

Kakamega UDA chairman Dennis Muhanda said the party was balancing consensus efforts with preparations for the primaries.

“We are prepared for nominations if the aspirants cannot agree, because all of them have registered for the exercise. The primaries will be conducted through secret ballot across the constituency,” Muhanda said.

He added that UDA is committed to ensuring a “free, fair and credible nomination process that reflects the will of the people of Malava.”

Whoever secures the UDA ticket will face candidates from rival parties, including Democratic Congress Party (DCP) candidate Edgar Busiega, Kenya National Union of Nurses secretary general Seth Panyako, running on a DAP-K ticket, and Lazaro Luchebeleli of DNA.

The Malava by-election is seen as politically significant, with the outcome expected to influence the standing of key leaders in Western Kenya.

Government officials have in recent weeks been rolling out empowerment programmes in the constituency through Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, following the death of Malulu Injendi.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is expected to spearhead UDA’s campaigns for the by-election, while DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala leads his party’s ground mobilization.

Eugene Wamalwa is set to coordinate DAP-K’s campaigns.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced it will not field a candidate in Malava, instead backing UDA in line with ongoing cooperation between the two parties under the broad-based government.