Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has dismissed the Malava parliamentary by-election as illegitimate, citing widespread violence, intimidation, and voter bribery that he claims compromised the democratic process.
In a statement on Friday, November 28, the senator painted a grim picture of the electoral exercise, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the vote rendered it invalid.
"The killings, widespread violence, roaming armed goons escorted by police, intimidation and voter bribery that reigned in Malava Constituency erased any claim to a democratic election," Khalwale stated.
"There was no election. However, I am inspired by the resolve of our people. They are now woke! Western is rising."
Khalwale's remarks come as concerns mount about the conduct of Thursday's by-election, which saw UDA's David Ndakwa emerge victorious with 21,564 votes against DAP-K's Seth Panyako, who garnered 20,210 votes.
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The senator warned about the broader implications of what he described as collusion between political operatives and law enforcement.
"With 2027 fast approaching, Kenyans must be concerned about the emergence of connivance between goons and the police in our electoral process," Khalwale added.
The Malava by-election was indeed marred by several violent incidents that raised questions about the integrity of the process.
On Wednesday night, Panyako claimed he survived an assassination attempt when armed individuals allegedly stormed his Down Hill hotel, where he was staying with his family. The DAP-K candidate described the incident as a deliberate attack orchestrated by government machinery and criminal elements.
"The government machinery, together with criminals, attacked my hotel, which was also intended to be used as a personal tallying center, and the aim of the attack was to assassinate my wife and me. This is because, according to a poll that was done yesterday, I was doing 75 percent while the other candidate was doing 24 percent," Panyako claimed.
The violence escalated on election day when a vehicle belonging to DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa was shot at and set on fire in Malava. The incident occurred after Wamalwa had accompanied Panyako to cast his vote and was making routine rounds in the constituency.
Witnesses reported that the chaos erupted following a confrontation between two rival political groups. An unidentified masked individual then emerged and opened fire at Wamalwa's vehicle, hitting one of its tires before the car was set ablaze.
The DAP-K contested the results, claiming that votes were stolen in the other 54 polling centres.
“We won in 134 out of 198 Polling stations, but still they managed to manipulate and subvert the will of the people. They used 54 Polling stations to steal the elections,” he claimed.
“Thank you, my Malava people, your love and trust in me have been steadfast. But to those who subverted your will, judgment awaits them.”
