DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa on Thursday accused the state of coordinating violent attacks targeting the party’s by-election candidate Seth Panyako, his family, staff and residents.
In a statement, Wamalwa claimed the assaults were carried out by groups acting with the support of police and electoral officials, forming part of a wider plan to influence the vote through fear and interference.
In his remarks, Wamalwa said the violence marked the latest attempt to intimidate their candidate and interfere with the Malava Constituency vote.
“Last night, State instigated violence has been unleashed on our Malava Constituency candidate @PanyakoSeth, members of his family, staff of his Down Hill restaurant and residents of Malava constituency!” he wrote on his X account.
He accused those involved, including officers from the National Police Service and officials of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, of failing to uphold their constitutional duties during the by-election period. “You shall be held to account!” he warned, insisting that the actions amounted to open disregard for the law.
Wamalwa said the disruptions were tied to a “nefarious scheme” that he, alongside United Opposition co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua, had earlier warned Kenyans about.
According to him, the alleged plan was being executed by the govenrment with “military precision” in collaboration with security agencies and election personnel.
He urged supporters not to retreat in the face of threats.
“We urge all our supporters across the country not to be intimidated but to come out in large numbers and defend our democracy that is facing its hour of utmost peril,” he stated.
At the same time, Malava candidate Seth Panyako recounted an incident he said took place at a hotel in Kakamega. Panyako claimed unidentified individuals attempted to stage a police raid before abandoning the plan.
Speaking at Lunyu Polling Station in Manda-Shivanga Ward, he said he had been alerted in advance that police were preparing to storm the premises.
“When police comes, he will access your premises, and show you search warrants,” he said, adding that “the police didn’t show up.”
Panyako alleged that the confrontation happened at around 8:30 a.m. while he was with his wife inside the hotel. “I was with my wife, I was inside the hotel, seated, I was informed that Stanley Livondo has arrived, and he wanted to see me,” he said.
He claimed Livondo called out to him from the hotel entrance, but he refused to go outside. “I have never met him, nor greet Livondo in my life,” he said. Panyako added that he remained inside and instructed his assistant to ask Livondo to enter instead, but he declined.
He further alleged that Livondo’s vehicle had its registration covered. “He had actually blocked his number plate, he had put a black seal tape,” Panyako said, adding that his team questioned the concealment. “My people told him to look at his vehicle, why has the number plate been blocked?”
The claims come as the Malava by-election continues under a heated political atmosphere, with the contest viewed as a key indicator of shifting influence in the western region.
