High Court Rules On Malava Parliamentary By-Election
The Kakamega High Court denied an electoral petition challenging Malava Member of Parliament David Ndakwa’s victory in the 2025 by-election, essentially upholding his win.
On Friday, May 15, the court upheld Ndakwa’s election, which was challenged by his closest rival, Seth Panyako.
Panyako had moved to overturn the results of the November 27, 2025, by-election.
Panyako had gone to court to protest the results of their election, claiming that it was tainted by huge irregularities, giving his toughest challenger an advantage in the results.
He fiercely contested the results of the mini-polls, alleging electoral malpractice in 54 polling stations despite what he described as commanding victories in 134 out of 198 stations.
Kakamega High Court dismisses by-election petition challenging Malava MP David Ndakwa’s victory, upholding his win over closest rival Seth Panyako. pic.twitter.com/WOUvRxR1tr
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) May 15, 2026
He, at the time, criticised the government for allegedly instigating chaos in Malava in what he claimed was an attempt to intimidate him and his supporters into giving up on the elections.
However, presiding Judge Stephen Mbugi ruled that the petition lacked merit, thereby confirming Ndakwa’s election as the duly elected Member of Parliament for the Malava constituency.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, and other leaders at the Kakamega High Court for the ruling on a petition challenging the election of Malava MP Hon. David Ndakwa, elected during the November 27 by-election.#HapaNdipo pic.twitter.com/iBcOJ3JdqA
— Radio 47 (@Radio47_Kenya) May 15, 2026
Following the ruling, celebrations erupted outside the law courts with Ndakwa and his supporters marching through the streets while singing victory songs.
“The will of the people of Malava has prevailed,” Ndakwa shared in a short statement following the court’s decision.
Ndakwa holds a Bachelor of Information Science degree from Moi University and previously served as the Leader of the Minority and as a Member of the County Assembly (MCA) in Kakamega County.
He later resigned to vie for the Malava parliamentary seat following the passing of former MP Malulu Injendi.
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- High Court Rules On Malava Parliamentary By-Election
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on November 28 last year declared him the winner of the Malava parliamentary seat after garnering 21,564 votes.
He defeated DAP-Kenya candidate Panyako, who received 20,210 votes.
Panyako was closely followed by Wilberforce Indai of the Kenya Moja party, who came in at third place after garnering 626 votes.
The by-elections, which took place across 198 polling stations, saw a 46 per cent voter turnout with 43,675 ballots cast out of 94,417 registered voters.
During the election process, moments before the IEBC announced Ndakwa as the winner, the opposition team led by DCP Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala demanded a recount of votes in several polling stations in the hotly contested elections.
High Court Rules On Malava Parliamentary By-Election
