Clans, national politics, money to shape Malava mini-poll outcome

President Williams Rutos aid Farouk Kibet(second left) and Malava UDA party aspirants during an empowerment progamme at Malava market on September 11, 2025.[Benjamin Sakwa/ Standard]

The Malava by-election is proving to be more than a constituency affair but rather a litmus test on the popularity of President William Ruto and the United Opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.

The hotly contested mini-poll has attracted nine candidates. Still, the race so far has narrowed down to a gruelling epic battle between David Ndakwa of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Seth Panyako of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).