DAP-K’s Malava parliamentary candidate Seth Panyako was on Wednesday morning arrested and detained at Malava Police Station, just hours after he was reportedly attacked overnight and one of his vehicles torched in escalating political tensions in the constituency.

The Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) said the arrest came shortly after Panyako endured a night of chaos allegedly orchestrated by hostile groups.

According to the party, the attackers targeted both Panyako and his campaign agents, leaving several injured and property destroyed in what they described as a blatant attempt to suppress his political activities.

In a statement issued by the party, DAP-K expressed outrage over the arrest and alleged police complicity.

“Our Candidate, Seth Panyako, has been arrested and is currently being held at Malava Police Station. This, even after goons under police supervision terrorised him the whole night, injured our agents, destroyed property, and now they want to intimidate him. We will not allow!” the party said.

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Party Condemns Intimidation Claims

The Party insisted that security agencies were now orchestrating an intimidation campaign instead of protecting election candidates.

DAP-K maintained that they “will not allow the security agencies to intimidate their candidate,” and demanded accountability from those involved.

According to the Party, the violence was not isolated.

In an earlier statement issued before Panyako’s arrest, former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa linked the attacks to a broader political scheme.

Wamalwa Alleges State-Backed Plot

Wamalwa claimed that the violence was part of what he described as a state-instigated operation targeting opposition candidates nationwide.

He said, “Last night State instigated violence has been unleashed on our Malava Constituency candidate Panyako Seth, members of his family, staff of his Down Hill restaurant and residents of Malava constituency!”

He further alleged that government-backed attackers, along with compromised officials from the National Police Service and the IEBC, facilitated the assault.

According to him, these groups “failed to act in accordance with their oath to protect and defend the Constitution of Kenya resulting in bloodshed and serious injuries.”

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Opposition Leaders Warn of Wider Scheme

Wamalwa, flanked by co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua during a separate briefing, said they had earlier warned of a scheme involving ballot stuffing, state-sponsored violence and organised goons.

He stated, “This nefarious scheme we warned Kenyans about yesterday… is being executed by the Ruto Regime with military precision and in collaboration with NPS and IEBC Kenya.”

He urged Kenyans not to bow to fear, saying, “We urge all our supporters across the Country not to be intimidated but to come out in large numbers and defend our democracy that is facing its hour of utmost peril.”

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A photo collage of Police IG Douglas Kanja and former DP Rigathi Gachagua. PHOTO/NPS/DCP.