The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially declared David Athman Ndakwa, the UDA candidate, as the winner of the Malava Constituency by-election held on Thursday. Ndakwa clinched the seat with 21,564 votes, narrowly defeating his closest rival, Seth Panyako of DAP-K, who received 20,210 votes.
The race was closely fought, with Ndakwa edging out Panyako by just 1,354 votes. Third-place finisher Wilberforce Indai of Kenya Moja managed 626 votes.
Voter Turnout and Election Snapshot
According to final tallies announced by Returning Officer Salim Abdalla Salim, a total of 43,675 ballots were cast out of 94,417 registered voters, giving the by-election a turnout of 46.2% across all 198 polling stations.
Ndakwa’s Post-Victory Remarks
In his acceptance remarks, Ndakwa thanked the electorate of Malava for their trust and promised to immediately begin efforts to address constituency priorities. Among his pledges are improving infrastructure, enhancing access to social services, and boosting youth empowerment programs.
Implications for Political Dynamics in Malava
The tight margin of victory underscores Malava’s highly competitive political environment. Analysts say Ndakwa’s win strengthens UDA’s influence in the region but also highlights the deep support Panyako and DAP-K enjoy locally.
The by-election result will likely have ripple effects on political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections — with parties now watching how the MP-elect delivers on his promises and how the opposition responds.
