Seth Panyako Claims Govt Offered Him CS Position After Malava Loss

United Opposition candidate Seth Panyako now claims government officials approached him with a Cabinet Secretary offer shortly after he lost the Malava by-election.

Gov’t Tried to Appoint Me CS, Says Panyako

Speaking on Radio Maisha on December 3, Panyako said he rejected the offer. He argued that the government could not reward him after what he described as violence during the election.

“On the 28th they told me they wanted to make me a Cabinet Secretary. Did I contest to become a minister? This is pure inhumanity. It looks like we are being led by sycophants,” he said.

He Claims a Similar Offer Came in 2022

Panyako added that he received a similar approach three years earlier. He claimed President William Ruto asked him to consider a Principal Secretary role, but he turned it down because he already had another job.

‘I Campaigned for Ruto’

The former Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General reminded listeners that he actively campaigned for Ruto in 2022 while still in UDA. He said the new offer shocked him because of the treatment he claims to have received during the by-election.

Supporters Backed His Decision

Panyako said his supporters in Malava supported his rejection of the government appointment.
“Since they started these CS stories, people from Kabras have told me, ‘Do not join that government,’” he said.

Bribery and Intimidation Allegations

He alleged that some of his agents accepted Ksh15,000 bribes from his opponents.
Panyako further accused police officers of helping attackers. According to him, one officer warned him about an impending attack, forcing him to go into hiding before the vote.

He also said he tried calling Deputy Inspector General Douglas Masengeli, but the calls went unanswered.

Ndakwa Won the Malava Seat

Panyako lost the November 27 by-election to UDA candidate David Ndakwa.