Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate in the November 27 Malava by-election, Edgar Busiega, has stepped down from the race and thrown his weight behind Seth Panyako, of DAP-K.
Mr Busiega, in a show of unity within the United Opposition, announced his withdrawal from the mini-poll following intensified consultations between the coalition partners in a plan to humiliate President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate at the ballot.
His announcement on October 31 came a few hours after the President campaigned for David Ndakwa, the UDA candidate in Malava.
The coming together of DCP and DAP-K in the Malava parliamentary by-election will give stiff competition to the UDA brigade led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, President Ruto's aide Faruk Kibet, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala said the United Opposition had decided to craft joint campaigns to bolster its chances of winning against the 'government candidate'.
"This development is a major boost for Mr Panyako and the United Opposition. I thank my party candidate, Mr Busiega, for realising that Malava is bigger than any one of us and pulling out of the race after he had invested heavily in his bid," said Mr Malala.
"When brothers come together, great things happen. The decision by my DCP candidate to withdraw from the race in favour of a joint opposition candidate, Seth Panyako, goes a long way in bolstering our chances of kicking out operatives working for this punitive regime. Retreat is not defeat but a choice to regroup and come back stronger," he added.
Mr Busiega said he had dreamed of becoming the top leader in Malava and had prepared himself for the coveted parliamentary position.
"DCP had immensely invested in me, but I realised that we cannot all be MPs at the same time. My bowing out of the parliamentary race has been the most difficult decision in my life. But I will support my brother Panyako unconditionally," he said.
He said DAP-K leader George Natembeya and DCP’s Rigathi Gachagua had called him to a meeting where they deliberated on the way forward.
"My decision signals the beginning of Luhya leaders promoting the desired unity. This unity is paramount, and today we have shown that it is possible," he added.
When Mr Natembeya visited Malava last Tuesday to campaign for Panyako, residents made a humble request. They asked him to reach out to DCP Party Leader Mr Gachagua to urge him to have the DCP candidate step down for Panyako, to safeguard the unity of the opposition vote.
"As a party, we considered a lot of factors before we asked our candidate to step down. We agreed to give Busiega the first nomination slot so that he achieves his desire to represent Kenyans in Parliament," he explained.
He said the decision for DCP to pull out of the Malava race was reached after a scientific survey revealed that Panyako was the stronger candidate.
Mr Panyako said their coming together marked the beginning of a journey to unite the people of Western Kenya.
He said a win for the opposition would be a win for the people of Malava and a source of pride for the Luhya nation.
"Some people are spending a lot of resources lobbying voters to support their candidate. They have pitched camp in Malava as if this is their only business," he said.
He thanked the DCP and Mr Busiega for agreeing to support his bid against the "government candidate".
He said he had rejected offers from UDA and ODM, who had approached him, "because I want the dignity of our community to be respected."
The withdrawal of Mr Busiega now leaves eight candidates vying to fill the seat that fell vacant following the death of Malulu Injendi.
They are Seth Panyako (DAP-K), David Ndakwa (UDA), Wilberforce Tuvei (Kenya Moja), James Angatia (ARC), and George Oyugi (PDU). Others are Bruce Shivakale (EPP), Benjamin Nalwa (Nupea), and Joab Manyasi (DNA).
