The race for the Malava parliamentary seat, following the passing of three-term MP Moses Malulu Injendi, is intensifying by the day. With more than 20 aspirants throwing their hats into the ring, the latest contender to make waves is Naomi Shiyonga, a former Kakamega Member of the County Assembly (MCA), known widely as Mama Signal.
In an announcement made through her social media platform, Shiyonga revealed her intention to seek the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nomination for the vacant seat. If successful, she would make history as the first-ever woman to contest for this position in Malava, a constituency that has been represented by men since independence.
The competition is already fierce, with more than 20 individuals vying for the position, including Shiyonga’s fellow UDA hopefuls, Ryan Injendi—Malulu’s son—and Seth Panyako, the Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN). While Panyako has made his intentions public, Ryan, who is believed to be President William Ruto’s preferred candidate, has yet to formally announce his bid.
Shiyonga’s entry adds yet another layer of complexity to what is already shaping up to be a highly competitive race. Alongside her, the list of aspirants includes high-profile figures such as Caleb Sunguti, a former Kenya School of Government lecturer; Senior Assistant Inspector-General of Police Nelson Shilunji Taliti; lawyer Edgar Busiega Mwanga; and former Malava Boys’ High School Principal Daniel Mwachi, among others.
With so many candidates on the table, the upcoming by-election is quickly becoming a contest between youthful ambition and seasoned professionalism. On one hand, Ryan and Busiega represent the younger, dynamic generation of politicians who could appeal to the tech-savvy and youthful Gen-Z demographic. On the other, veterans like Sunguti, Taliti, and Shiyonga bring with them a wealth of experience and a strong network within the region.
So far, the only candidate to have secured a party nomination is Caleb Sunguti, who was cleared to run by the Roots Party, led by lawyer Prof. George Wajackoya. Meanwhile, other aspirants, including Burudi and Makanga, are aligning themselves with DAP-K, a party headed by former Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, which has emerged as a strong player on the ground.
The absence of a candidate from the Amani National Congress (ANC) party—once the dominant force in the region—adds another layer of intrigue to the race. The region has long been a stronghold for ANC, with its former leader, now Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, commanding significant respect from local voters. In fact, in both 2013 and 2022, Malava was one of the top constituencies in Kakamega County to back Mudavadi and the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The lack of an ANC representative presents a tricky challenge for the other parties, particularly President Ruto’s UDA, which remains less popular in the area. With the UDA still trying to establish a stronghold, it will take substantial effort from Ruto and his team to effectively market their candidate.
In light of this, the entry of Shiyonga into the race has made the contest even more captivating and unpredictable. Will her fresh appeal as a woman candidate from the UDA sway voters, or will the region’s loyalty to Mudavadi’s political camp prove stronger?
As the by-election draws nearer, the Malava seat is sure to be one of the most watched races in the country, with political players manoeuvring and positioning themselves for what promises to be a dramatic showdown. The battle for the heart and soul of Malava is far from over—who will emerge victorious? Only time will tell.
