The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has suffered a setback ahead of the upcoming Kisa East ward by-election after its nominated candidate, Isaiah Abraham Ayaya, formally declined the ticket and returned the nomination certificate.
In a letter dated Thursday, October 2, and addressed to the Chairperson of the National Elections Coordinating Committee of ODM, Ayaya expressed gratitude to the party for considering him but said the nomination was premature and conflicted with his existing political affiliation.
He noted that ODM had proceeded to issue him with a certificate before the necessary consultations were finalized.
"I write to sincerely thank the Orange Democratic Movement for reaching out to me with the view of having me run as its party candidate in the forthcoming by-elections for the member of County Assembly for Kisa East.
"It is regrettable that the nomination certificate was drawn and issued in my name before consultations could reach their logical conclusion," he said.
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Additionally, Ayaya said that he was already a registered member of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) at the time ODM made its approach.
"Secondly, by the time the Orange Democratic Movement was reaching out to me, my name had already been forwarded to the Democratic Action Party of Kenya where I am duly registered as a life member," he added.
In conclusion, Ayaya stated that he could not accept ODM’s nomination and would be returning the certificate issued on Monday, October 1.
"Subsequently, I hereby respectfully decline the nomination certificate issued to me and dated October 1, 2025 and the same is hereby returned," he concluded.
In an update on Monday, ODM announced Ayaya as the party's aspirant for the Kisa East MCA seat and handed him the nomination certificate.
"Our candidate for the Kisa East MCA seat in the November 27 by-election, Abraham Isaiah Ayay,a was today presented with the nomination certificate by the chairperson of NECC, Hon. Emily Awitta. The earlier nomination of Thomas Eshuya Oyolo has been revoked," the party said.
Elsewhere, Seth Panyako was handed a direct nomination ticket by the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ahead of the Malava by-election.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Chui House in Nairobi on Thursday, September 18, DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa said the United Opposition had settled on Panyako for the seat.
"We will be sharing this report with the people of Malava today; we have no doubt that it will emerge that Seth Panyako is the sure bet. If anyone wants to defy the agreement of the joint opposition resolution, then the results will still be reflected on the ballot on November 27th," he said.
The development came days after one of the DAP-K aspirants, Caleb Burudi, challenged Panyako's eligibility in the race.
In a letter addressed to the National Elections Board Chairman on Monday, September 15, Burudi claimed that Panyako remains a serving public officer despite the legal requirement to resign before contesting.
"Our client is one of the aspirants for the Malava Parliamentary race, and has subjected himself to party nominations amongst other hopefuls.
"It has, however, come to his attention that his main challenger, one Seth Ambusini Panyako, is a public officer as a Board Member at the Local Authorities Provident Fund (Lapfund) and has not resigned to date, therefore ineligible to contest for the forthcoming by-elections scheduled for 27th November, 2025," the letter read.
As such, Burudi argued that Panyako should not be cleared to contest in any party primaries and his ticket must be rejected.
"He is also ineligible to participate in any party primaries and therefore his application for the ticket must be screened and rejected at this juncture," the letter continued.
Burudi called for the immediate disqualification of Panyako, suggesting that he would pursue legal options if the party failed to act.
“To this end, I call upon your office to disqualify the said Seth Ambusini Panyako from participating in DAP-K party nominations, as it is evident that he is ineligible to vie as a Member of Parliament for Malava Constituency. It is my sincere hope that my legitimate request will be complied with without the need for me to seek legal redress," the letter concluded.
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