Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula addressing mourners during the burial service for Francis Njuku in Milimani area, Lumakanda ward in Lugari constituency on Saturday/IMAGE /HILTON OTENYOKakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has broken ranks with his DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and the first Deputy party leader George Natembeya on Campaigns for the upcoming Malava parliamentary by-election.
Savula said that he has decided to join the campaign trail for the UDA candidate David Ndakwa instead of backing DAP-K party candidate for the race Seth Panyako.
“I have decided to support Ndakwa, who is the Kenya Kwanza candidate in the brace in the spirit of the broad-based government,” said Savula who is the party’s second deputy leader.
“The constitution provides that the two levels of government shall work together. As such, we shall work together to deliver the Malava seat to the government, and I am hitting the ground today,” he added.
He said that Wamalwa and Natembeya have failed to demonstrate unity in the campaigns for Panyako.
He said that they have shipped their fights with each other in the party to Malava, costing the candidate two points in the last one week.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale who was elected on the UDA ticket, is also campaigning for Panyako.
The switching of camps by Savula is expected to give Ndakwa’s campaigns the necessary impetus as the search for votes in Malava enters the home stretch.
The by-election is set for November 27.
Savula had earlier chosen to keep off the campaigns; his boss, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, hit the ground to campaign for the UDA candidate under the broad-based government arrangements.
The Malava parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of then MP Malulu Injendi in February following a short illness.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared nine candidates to battle it out for the seat.
They include Ndakwa, Panyako, Wilberforce Tuvei of the Kenya Moja Movement, Edgar Busiega of DCP, James Angatia (ARC), George Ngaira (PDU), Benjamin Nalwa (NOPEU), Joab Manyasi of the DNA party, and Jason ShivaKali of EPP.
Busiega and Manyasi have since bowed out of the race to support Panyako in the interest of a united opposition.
The upcoming by-elections across the country are billed as a test run for both government and opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
The outcome of the Malava by-election will equally define the political standing of top Luhya leaders in national political alignment ahead of the next general election.
