The Democratic Congress Party (DCP) candidate in the Malava Constituency by-election has withdrawn from the race and thrown his support behind the DAP-K candidate, Seth Panyako.
In a statement released on Thursday, October 30, the DAP-K Party confirmed that Edgar Busiega Mwanga had officially stepped down in favor of Panyako. The move now leaves the United Opposition with a single candidate in the upcoming vote.
“Wakili Edgar Busiega Mwanga who was vying for the Malava Constituency parliamentary seat on DCP has officially stepped down and backed DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako. As the United Opposition, we now have one candidate in the upcoming by-election,” the statement said.
Panyako received a direct nomination from DAP-K as the preferred flag bearer in the race.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Chui House in Nairobi on September 18, DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa said the joint opposition had agreed to rally behind Panyako.
“We will be sharing this report with the people of Malava today. We have no doubt that Seth Panyako is the sure bet,” Wamalwa said. “If anyone wants to defy the joint opposition agreement, the results will still be reflected on the ballot on November 27.”
However, Panyako’s candidacy has faced internal opposition. Earlier in September, DAP-K aspirant Caleb Burudi questioned his eligibility to run.
In a letter to the party’s National Elections Board on September 15, Burudi claimed that Panyako was still serving as a board member at the Local Authorities Provident Fund (Lapfund). According to election laws, public officers must resign before seeking political office.
Burudi argued that Panyako violated the legal requirement, noting that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared the Malava seat vacant on August 8. Candidates who are public officers were expected to resign within seven days of that notice.
“He did not resign as required in law and instead continued to serve in public office,” Burudi wrote. He called on the party to disqualify Panyako and threatened legal action if the issue was not addressed.
DAP-K has not publicly responded to the eligibility claims.
The Malava Constituency by-election is scheduled for November 27, 2025.
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