The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) led by former Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has responded to reports that it has withdrawn from Malava Constituency by-election.

In a statement on September 14, DCP Secretary General, Hezron Obaga, asked the pubic to dismiss reports that their candidate, Edgar Busiega, has withdrawn from the race.

“DCP wishes to inform the public that the reports circulating claiming our candidate for the Malava Parliamentary race, Edgar Busiega, has withdrawn are false and misleading,” Obaga said.

Obaga said the claims are from their opponents, who have sensed defeat due to the growing influence of Edgar ahead of the elections.

DCP has urged its supporters to ignore the rumour adding that their candidate is confident of winning the seat.

“These claims are the result of panic by our competitors, who have sensed defeat in the face of the growing popularity of our candidate. Edgar Busiega remains firmly in the race, and we are confident of victory come 27th November 2027. We urge our supporters and the people of Malava to ignore propaganda and remain focused on the journey ahead,” DCP said.

The Malava seat fell vacant following the death of Moses Malulu Injendi in February 2025 while undergoing treatment in Nairobi. Injendi had represented the constituency under Jubilee and later the Amani National Congress.

The by-election has attracted several aspirants, setting the stage for a competitive race. Among them is Ryan Injendi, son of the late MP and an employee of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) has fronted Seth Panyako, the former chair of the Kenya National Union of Nurses.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the ruling party, has also fielded candidates, though its campaign was recently jolted by the sudden death of aspirant Dr. Enock Andanje, a retired principal from Bungoma High School.

DCP has placed heavy stakes in Malava after recently pulling out of the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, where it opted to back the Democratic Party’s candidate as part of opposition coalition building ahead of the 2027 polls.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set November 27 as polling day, with official campaigns expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

With UDA, DAP-K, Jubilee, and DCP all contesting, the Malava seat is shaping up as a critical political battleground in Western Kenya.

Press Release by DCP on false claims of their candidacy withdrawal on Malava By-Election. PHOTO/ DCP X