The Roots Party parliamentary aspirant in the upcoming Malava by-election, Caleb Sunguti, has withdrawn from the race a day before he was expected to present his nomination papers for clearance by the IEBC.
Sunguti, who was a deputy governor aspirant in the 2022 elections alongside gubernatorial candidate Michael Osundwa, said he decided to quit the race citing lack of resources to match those of government-backed candidates.
The 61-year-old politician from the Abatobo clan, the same clan as DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako hinted that he may throw his support behind Panyako in the Malava contest.
Sunguti noted that he had written to both his party and the IEBC notifying them of his withdrawal.
Kakamega County Elections Manager Joseph Ayatta has confirmed receipt of Sunguti’s withdrawal letter.
“I urge Malava voters to come out in large numbers on the Election Day to vote with their heads for the most competent, effective and listening candidate who has the best interests of the people of Malava,” Sunguti says in the letter.
However, a separate letter from the Roots Party circulating in the media indicates that the party has revoked his nomination certificate.
