Panyako Alleges Assassination Attempt Hours Before Malava By-Election

Malava parliamentary aspirant Seth Panyako says a group of attackers tried to kill him the night before the November 27 by-election.

The DAP-K candidate spoke on Thursday morning after he cast his ballot. He said armed men ambushed his team on Wednesday night and left his driver with serious stab wounds.

Panyako accused several state-linked individuals of leading the attack. He claimed that a senior aide in the presidency coordinated the group and that the attackers also targeted his family.

“Government machinery, together with criminals, attacked my hotel. Their plan was to assassinate my wife and me,” he said.

He claimed the attackers singled him out because polls placed him far ahead of UDA’s David Ndakwa.

“The government candidate was at 24 percent yesterday. They believe the only way to win is by eliminating me,” he added.

Panyako said the attackers went straight to his room, even though it was separate from the main suite. He believes this shows they had specific instructions.

He later voted at St Joseph Lunyu Primary School, where cameras captured him breaking down. His driver is now receiving treatment at Webuye Hospital.

Tension in Malava rose further on Wednesday evening when residents beat a man they accused of bribing voters. No one has confirmed which candidate he supported.

DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa condemned the violence. He also demanded the disqualification of Ndakwa.

“Police are working with goons to intimidate voters. IEBC must disqualify the UDA candidate for trying to harm his opponent,” Wamalwa said.

Malava is one of the most competitive constituencies in the by-elections. Similar tension has emerged in Mbeere North and Magarini. Voters are choosing new MPs in six constituencies—Magarini, Banissa, Mbeere North, Ugunja, Kasipul and Malava—and a senator in Baringo County.