David Athman Ndakwa of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been declared the winner of the Malava Constituency Member of Parliament-elect after garnering 21,564 votes against his closest rival Seth Panyako of Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) who secured 20210 votes.
Malava Constituency Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission returning officer Salim Abdalla declared Ndakwa as the winner in the closely contested election which recorded a voter turnout 0f 43,673 of the 94,417, representing about 46 percent voter turnout..
Early, there was a delay in announcing results after the Democracy for the Citizen Party Deputy leader Cleophas Malala demanded a recount when the UDA party candidate was leading with 21,455 votes.
The Returning officer conceded to his verbal request and was ready to do the recount but by then the complaint had already walked out of the hall.
Regarding another request by the DAP-K chief agent that the votes be recounted. Abdalla stated that this could not be done as it is an illegality.
“Once the boxes are sealed at the polling station, they can only be opened through a court process,” he declared.
Speaking after being awarded the winning certificate, the MP-elect, thanked the people of Malava and the Party leader of UDA President William Ruto for the confidence they have in him.
He extended an olive branch to his competitors to work together to serve the interests of Malava.
He called for unity of purpose amongst all people including his opponents and promised to be a servant leader and complete all projects initiated by the late MP Malulu Injendi.
“I will listen to you, and take in your views since you have exercised your democratic space and for now, let’s focus on development matters since another election will only come in 2027,” he added.
In the by-election which attracted nine candidates, James Shinachi Angatia got 243 votes, Bruce Jason Shivakale had 390 votes, Job Burudi Manyasi managed 70 votes and Edgar Busiega Mwanga received 209 votes.
Others were Benjamin Malwa who managed 215 votes, George Ngaira Oyugi with 148 votes and Wilberforce Indai Tuvei garnered 626 votes.
Panyako did not show up at the tallying centre.
by George Kaiga
