Malava’s by-election race has taken a dramatic turn after Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate Joab Burudi Manyasi abruptly quit the contest and declared his support for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa.
The announcement was made on Sunday in Kakamega, where Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi personally received Manyasi into the UDA camp, triggering intense speculation just days before voters head to the polls.
Speaking about his decision, Manyasi said it followed a deep assessment of Malava’s priorities.
“I have analyzed and told myself that Malava needs unity, peace, and development. This is 2025, not 2027, and we are fighting for development,” he said.
“I have talked to my teams and we agreed to back the government’s candidate so that we can be in a position to demand development for our people. Malava needs roads, schools, water, and hospitals — and only the government can give us that.”
Manyasi’s withdrawal lands at a decisive moment — less than 24 hours before the IEBC-mandated campaign deadline of Monday, November 24, 2025. The timing signals a highly calculated realignment that could significantly alter the final days of the contest.
His endorsement is expected to consolidate votes in a closely watched race that had been shaping into a multi-candidate battle. His exit is likely to shift voter arithmetic in favour of Ndakwa, injecting fresh momentum into UDA’s campaign.
Ndakwa, who also addressed the gathering, hailed Manyasi for his bold move, saying they were now eyeing a straightforward victory.
“I want to applaud Manyasi for believing in my leadership, and I want to congratulate him for thinking big — that the people of Malava need development,” Ndakwa said.
“If we went all the way to the ballot, we would have split the votes. But now we are looking at a straight win.”
The event drew several political heavyweights, underscoring the strategic importance of the Malava seat. In attendance were Kakamega Deputy Governor Kelvin Lunani, Ayub Savula, Senator Jackson Mandago, Ikolomani MP Benard Shinali, Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, Hon. Joseph Hamisi Denar, and former Mumias East MP Benard Shinali.
With the by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025, the sudden shift has intensified the stakes.
