With just nine days left to the highly anticipated Malava Constituency by-election set for November 27, 2025, a group of former opposition leaders now aligned with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have launched scathing attacks against the United Opposition, dismissing it as disorganized, divisive, and lacking a clear national agenda.
The leaders—among them Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, DAP-Kenya founder member Caleb Burudi, and former Roots Party member Caleb Sunguti—accused the united opposition of fueling propaganda instead of offering credible policy alternatives to President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking during intensified campaigns in Malava, the leaders said the opposition was misleading residents with “baseless claims” aimed at portraying itself as a formidable political force.
Savula, who doubles as DAP-Kenya deputy party leader but recently crossed over to support UDA’s candidate David Ndakwa, said he left the opposition after foreseeing its collapse.
“I saw the crumbling of the opposition coming from a distance,” Savula said. “Everyone was pushing their own agenda, driven by personal gain rather than the country’s democratic interests.”
He urged Malava residents to demonstrate respect for President Ruto by electing Ndakwa, assuring them that doing so would accelerate development in the constituency.
Savula highlighted ongoing infrastructure improvements, including the launch of the Ikoli–Nandi Road, which will connect Kakamega and Nandi counties.
“Electing Ndakwa will be transformative. Within 100 days, Malava residents will witness a whole new face of development,” he added.
Burudi dismissed the opposition’s presence in Malava as “dead on arrival,” insisting that the Kenya Kwanza government had adequate capacity to deliver services to the people without the need for opposition interference.
Sunguti echoed the sentiments, calling on voters to “make the right decision” by rallying behind Ndakwa.
Presidential aide Farouk Kibet also reinforced the message, warning residents that staying in the opposition would deny them benefits.
“Government is where you reap big. Ndakwa has been tested and proven to be the ideal leader for Malava,” Kibet said, predicting a decisive defeat for the united opposition in the upcoming poll.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe urged Malava voters to maintain the long-standing political alignment between the two neighboring constituencies.
“Navakholo has walked with the government, and Malava should continue with us in this journey,” he said.
The leaders also paid tribute to outgoing Malava MP Malulu Injendi, describing him as a steadfast ally and expressing confidence that his successor should come from the government side to ensure continuity in development.
The Malava by-election has drawn intense national attention, with both government and opposition coalitions seeking to assert political dominance in a region considered a crucial swing zone.
