Former Malava parliamentary candidate Seth Panyako has opened up about the emotional experience he went through on election day, describing it as a natural response to intense pressure.
“You know what I had gone through at that time requires that I ventilate. What the world sees as an election in Malava was, in reality, a form of warfare,” Panyako said during an interview on the Obina Show.
Responding to reports that he had shed tears, Panyako clarified that he did not cry, emphasising his humanity and resilience.
“But it shows that I am also a human being. I have feelings; I am not a stone. I am strong,” he said.
The third-born in a family of eleven also spoke about feeling isolated in his campaign.
“Sometimes it reached a point where I was fighting the entire government alone, I was left alone,” Panyako explained.
Panyako was defeated by UDA candidate David Ndakwa in the by-election.
On November 27, a video captured Panyako appearing visibly emotional moments before casting his vote at St Joseph’s Lunyu K Primary School.
He was accompanied by DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and several other officials.
In the footage, Panyako removed his glasses as he appeared to struggle with his emotions, while Wamalwa stood by him.
Aides were heard requesting journalists not to photograph the moment.
Panyako alleged that there had been a plot aimed at preventing him from participating in the election.
Despite the distress, he later proceeded to cast his ballot, which caused a brief stir at the polling centre.
In the election results, Ndakwa received 21,564 votes, while Panyako garnered 20,210. Other candidates included Wilberforce Tuvei of Kenya Moja Movement with 626 votes, Shivakale Jason with 390, James Angatia with 243, Ben Nalwa with 215, Edgar Busiega (DCP) with 209, George Ngaira with 148, and Joab Manyasi with 70 votes.
The by-election was held following the death of the then-Malava MP, Malulu Injendi, earlier this year.
Ndakwa, who was sworn in on Tuesday alongside other newly elected leaders, has pledged to prioritise and complete development projects initiated by the late Injendi before launching new initiatives.
He assured residents that continuity would guide his work and that he would seek to safeguard Injendi’s legacy.
