Why DAP-K is threatening to 'divorce' Gachagua's DCP

Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa(centre) and his Deputy Wafula Wamunyinyi(left) welcome Seth Panyako(right) to vie for the Malava Parliamentary Seat in the November 2025 By-Election. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Malava parliamentary by-election threatens to split the united opposition after Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leaders issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Democratic Congress Party (DCP) to withdraw its candidate or walk out.

Speaking after DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako was cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest in the November 27 by-election, Kakamega DAP-K chairperson Patrick Butichi demanded the withdrawal of Edgar Busiega, accusing the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua-led party of sowing division within the opposition by fielding its own candidate.

“We are hearing that Gachagua still wants to have a candidate in the race, and yet we have our own candidate, who is Panyako. We are issuing a stern warning band giving Gachagua with his the DCP 24 hours to pull out their candidate before, and if you will insist on presenting him before the electoral body for clearance, we are going to walk out and withdraw our support and association with you and chart our own path," said Butichi.

Butichi was addressing the crowd when flanked by Kakamega Senator Dr Boni Khalwale, Eugene Wamalwa and several local leaders.

Wamalwa maintained that the Malava by-election race is the Luhya affair, stating that they will do whatever is possible to ensure the region reclaims its lost glory in the eyes of the outsiders.

"We have been despised for a long time. This election is for our community to regain its lost glory and respect. We are appealing to our people to stand with their party and vote in Panyako so that we can shame those who are out to despise our community," said Wamalwa.

He added, "The government is flocking to Malava with money in sacks when our people are suffering. My advice is that you take the money and even demand more money, but you vote for our person."

Senator Khalwale, who is the majority chief whip in the Senate, said the mini-poll is to restore the dignity of the region.

"The President is my party leader and I want to tell you not to forget where you come from because Panyako and I are the ones who helped you popularise UDA in Western. I am pleading with you, Mr President, do not be misled by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi because he is lying to you," said Khalwale.

He added 'Mudavadi has never helped the people of Malava when he was the minister, but the late Soita Shitanda and I have helped the area, and therefore this is a by-election that is going to redefine the politics and destiny of the Luhya people."

Khalwale vowed to trounce President Ruto's and Gachagua's candidates in the upcoming Malava by-election.

Khalwale's entry is set to cause political jitters and complicate arithmetic within the government and United Opposition.

Khalwale said he is going to work with Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who is a DAP-K governor, to ensure they lock out Ruto and Gachagua with their allies in Malava and Kakamega County.

"Our region cannot be a place of doing political experiments when we have been denied and sidelined in terms of development. We are not going to allow people from outside to come and dictate to us politically and on what to do. Panyako has small mistakes that we are going to rectify, but he is a good person whom we are going to hold to support and ensure he wins the seat," said Khalwale.

He added, "I am seeing Farouk making endless trips day and night in Malava together with Mudavadi, who has nothing to show the people of Malava. Gachagua is also trying to come to Malava through a young man by the name Malala, but I want them to brace for a real and tough political duel, and lastly, a sound defeat."

DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala wants DAP-K party-preferred aspirant Panyako to drop out of the race in favour of its candidate Edgar Busiega.

Malala said the battle in Malava was between former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's DCP and President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) parties.

He said the opposition should unite behind Busiege and fight together to end President Ruto's influence in the West region.

"This is not just a normal contest for the MP seat. It is the start of a national contest to end Ruto's regime, hinged on extrajudicial killings, abductions, corruption, and a failed economy, and bring in leadership that listens to the people, or we continue with Ruto's regime," said Malala.

He added, "DAP-K is a Bukusu affair party because all of its officials are from one Luhya Sub-clan and not the Luhya party, and that is why we are urging our people to rally behind DCP, where I am number two in command."