Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi addressing over 100 clan chairpersons and elders from Malava constituency, July 24, 2025. /OPCS/EZEKIEL MWANZIAPrime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is set to spearhead the UDA campaign in the upcoming Malava constituency by-election, signaling a strategic push by the ruling party to retain the seat.
Addressing more than 100 clan chairpersons and elders from the 29 Kabras clans, Mudavadi reaffirmed his commitment to guiding the constituency through a smooth leadership transition following the death of MP Malulu Injendi.
“Until you elect a new Member of Parliament, I stand as your Patron in Malava. We must move forward together, build on the strong foundation left by our late brother Hon Malulu Injendi, and ensure that the development agenda remains on course,” he said.
Mudavadi announced plans to convene broader consultations with youth, women, religious leaders, farmers, scholars and businesspeople, aimed at identifying a candidate who reflects the aspirations of Malava residents.
“Leadership is not about theatrics or short-term promises. Malava deserves a predictable, consistent, and dependable leader; someone who can be trusted to put the interests of the people first,” he emphasised.
While acknowledging the cultural significance of clans, the Prime CS urged the community to resist clannism and divisive rhetoric during the campaign.
“Clans are vital to our heritage and identity, we respect that deeply. But let us not weaponise our traditions during elections or allow them to mislead us into choosing the wrong leaders,” he said.
“Sasa muache kujificha nyuma ya clans kwa sababu hatutaki mchague kiongozi ambaye atapiganisha watu ama hata kanisa na jamii na kuleta sarakasi ama yule wa kuiba raslimali kama pesa ya kuendeleza elimu, CDF na mambo kama hayo,” Mudavadi added.
(Now stop hiding behind clans, because we do not want you to elect a leader who will cause conflict among people or even with the church and the community, bring unnecessary drama, or one who will steal resources like money meant for education, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and similar initiatives.)
MP Malulu Injendi died on February 17 while receiving treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
Following the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), holding ward and constituency by-elections are among the agency's priority assignments even as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Mudavadi reminded residents that regardless of who wins, the MP will be a son or daughter of Malava, and urged elders to guide their communities in making sound choices.
“I have walked with you through good times and trials. Now I appeal to you: let us get a UDA candidate the President and I can work with, someone who will champion Malava’s development agenda at the national level,” he said.
The elders presented a memorandum highlighting stalled development projects left behind by the late MP.
They include the Malava-Ikoli and Malava-Samitsi roads, Namanja and Sikhuyu water projects, completion of Malava Medical Training College and Shamberere Polytechnic hostels, and operationalization of the Kabras West Sub-County headquarters.
They also called for the gazettement and staffing of new administrative units in East and West Kabras, including Chesero, Chivanga, Chevoso, and Indulusia.
“I have already written to the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Hon Davis Chirchir, to address the roads issue. I am also engaging the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Hon Kipchumba Murkomen, to ensure that the new administrative units are activated to bring services closer to the people,” Mudavadi said.
The consultative session was part of a weeklong series of engagements involving regional administrators, opinion leaders, and elected leaders including UDA vice chair Kelvin Lunani and MPs Fred Ikana and Beatrice Adagala.
Mudavadi's involvement in the Malava campaign marks a calculated effort to strengthen UDA's grassroots presence in Western Kenya where President William Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet has in recent days pitched camp in empowerment programmes.
