By IP Reporter
Ford Kenya party leader Dr Moses Wetang’ula…..Photo/IP
MALAVA, Kenya
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to conduct transparent and fair nominations ahead of the Malava Constituency by-election, insisting that once a candidate is chosen, all aspirants must unite behind the winner.
Speaking at a fundraiser for persons living with disabilities in Malava, Wetang’ula acknowledged the presence of multiple UDA aspirants.
“I recognize that four UDA aspirants are already preparing to contest in the nominations, and I welcome that spirit of healthy competition,” he said.
“However, once the nominations are concluded, we must remain united. Our collective strength lies not in division but in solidarity.”
Wetang’ula, a senior figure in the Kenya Kwanza coalition emphasized the importance of all allied parties rallying behind UDA’s chosen candidate.
“Let the nominations be fair and spirited,” he said, “but when the dust settles, let us close ranks and face the opposition as one team.”
Reactions from UDA Officials and Aspirants
UDA’s National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi assured supporters that the nominations will be transparent and peaceful adding that Malava deserves a leader who unites and champions development.
He confirmed that five aspirants had expressed interest in the ticket, including Ryan Injendi, Leonard Shimaka, Simon Kangwana, David Ndakwa and Enock Andanje.
Deputy DCP Party Leader Cleophas Malala criticized UDA for allegedly misleading some aspirants, claiming they were promised direct tickets if they resigned from their jobs only to later be told they must face primaries.
Dr. Enock Andanje, one of the aspirants, collapsed and died during a widows’ empowerment forum in Malava, an event that also had attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Dr Andanje was a front runner in the UDA party primaries.
The death of Andanje has intensified scrutiny of the nomination process.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula claimed Andanje died partly from political pressure after being promised a direct ticket, while DAP-K official Seth Panyako accused UDA of commercializing nominations and causing unnecessary strain on aspirants.
Mudavadi reiterated that UDA will hold transparent primaries and declined to endorse whoever will win after the nominations.
“The people of Malava will decide their candidate in free and fair nominations,” he said.
UDA Vice Chairperson Kelvin Lunani added that the nomination date is set for September 20 and urged aspirants to remain loyal to the party regardless of the outcome.
Context & Stakes
The Malava seat fell vacant following the death of MP Malulu Injendi earlier this year.
The by-election is widely seen as a test of UDA’s internal democracy and its ability to manage stiff intra-party competition.
Growing tension has centered on whether nominations will be by direct ticket, primaries or consensus.
Some aspirants claim they were misled into resigning from jobs on assurances of direct tickets only for those assurances to be withdrawn.
The death of Enock Andanje has shifted public focus from political rivalry to the human cost of unclear nomination processes with many leaders now calling for clarity and fairness to prevent similar tragedies.
