The DCP party has firmly rejected speculation about withdrawing from the upcoming Malava constituency by-election, maintaining its commitment to field a candidate in the November polls.
In a press address on Thursday, September 25, the deputy party leader Cleophas Malala noted that the party remains resolute in participating in the by-election despite ongoing negotiations within opposition circles about candidate consolidation.
"We have not withdrawn any candidate, and I'm addressing this issue in the case of Malava constituency,” Malala stated.
This clear statement comes amid swirling reports within opposition circles about potential candidate withdrawals to consolidate support behind a single opposition figure.
Malala acknowledged the complex dynamics within the opposition coalition while maintaining his party's independent stance.
Read More
"We are alive of the fact that we exist within a united opposition but as it stands right now we have not negotiated with any sister party in withdrawing the candidature," he declared.
The deputy leader confirmed that despite participating in broader opposition unity discussions, DCP has not formally agreed to withdraw from the race.
In a pointed response to suggestions that DCP should step aside, Malala argued that other parties should consider withdrawal.
"To the best of our ability and to the best of our knowledge, we believe that if there is somebody who's supposed to withdraw, then it's not the DCP candidate," he stated. “Today, this is an affirmation that the DCP party will be fielding a candidate in Malava constituency in the name of Wakili Edgar Busiega Mwanga."
This comes even as on September 18, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa asked the opposition coalition to rally behind their candidate Seth Panyako.
DAP-K had earlier nominated Seth Panyako, the Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary-General, as their candidate for the crucial by-election to succeed the late Malulu Injendi, who passed away in February.
Panyako emerged as DAP-K's choice after demonstrating strong grassroots support across all seven wards in the constituency. He positions himself as a formidable candidate with significant local backing.
"The Malava by-election will be a big test for the 2027 elections," Wamalwa stated, emphasizing the strategic importance of the seat for opposition parties seeking to demonstrate their electoral viability.
Wamalwa defended his party's candidate selection process, explaining, "As an opposition coalition, we used scientific data to establish our candidates, which is why we settled for our DP candidate in Mbeere."
The DAP-K leader had called explicitly on coalition partners to unite behind Panyako.
"We urge the rest of the coalition's partners to endorse Panyako and Gen Zs to turn out in large numbers and register with the IEBC from the 29th of this month."
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) suffered a significant setback in August when one of its aspirants for the Malava seat died unexpectedly.
Andanje collapsed during a widows' empowerment forum in West Kabras Malava, which was attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who has significant political influence in the region.
Prime CS Mudavadi had to interrupt the forum to announce the tragic news, stating, "While we were seated here, I received news that one of us, Enock Andanje, has died."
Despite immediate efforts to resuscitate Andanje at the venue, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital, leaving UDA to reorganize their candidate selection process for the November by-election.
