Former West Kabras MCA and Kakamega county minority leader, David Ndakwa widely regarded as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s close ally has clinched the UDA ticket for the Malava by-election after securing 8,756 votes.

Ndakwa defeated his closest rival, Ryan Malulu Injendi, who garnered 6,262 votes. Leonard Shimaka came third with 3,582 votes, while Simon Kangwana trailed with 2,341 votes. The total ballots cast stood at 20,941.

The UDA primaries, however, were marred by controversy. Tension gripped several polling stations as aspirants and their supporters traded accusations of voter bribery, intimidation, and the use of hired goons.

Speaking at Lugusi Secondary School polling station, Ryan Malulu Injendi accused Ndakwa of bribing voters and disrupting the process, further alleging that Mudavadi’s allies openly backed Ndakwa to tilt the outcome.

He urged UDA to ensure a free and fair process, insisting he remained confident of victory.

Despite these claims, UDA national vice chair Kelvin Lunani praised the nominations as peaceful and democratic, urging other political parties to emulate UDA by subjecting aspirants to competitive primaries rather than issuing direct tickets. Polling stations closed at 5 p.m., followed by counting that confirmed Ndakwa’s victory.

With the party ticket secured, Ndakwa now heads into the November 27, 2025 by-election, where he will face Seth Panyako of the DAP–K party, lawyer Edgar Busiega of the DCP, businessman Wilberforce Tuvei of the Kenya Moja Movement Party, and Joab Manyasi of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

The by-election will determine who succeeds the late Malulu Injendi as Malava’s next Member of Parliament.