Trade unionist Seth Panyako has officially returned to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), ending his association with the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) as he sets his sights on the Malava parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
Panyako announced his decision on Thursday, confirming that he will seek the UDA ticket for the Malava constituency.
“I will be vying for the Member of Parliament for Malava Constituency on the UDA Party ticket in the 2027 General Election,” he said.
Rules out Kakamega Senate race
Panyako dismissed speculation that he is eyeing the Kakamega Senate seat, saying his political ambitions remain firmly focused on Malava.
He termed reports linking him to the Senate contest as unfounded, insisting that his priority is securing the parliamentary seat.
“Those talking about the senator seat, that is just propaganda,” he said.
Return follows by-election defeat
The move comes months after Panyako unsuccessfully contested the Malava parliamentary by-election on a DAP-K ticket.
He lost the race to UDA candidate Daniel Ndakwa, who garnered 21,564 votes against Panyako’s 20,210 votes.
Following the announcement of the results, Panyako rejected the outcome, alleging that the election had been manipulated.
“We won in 134 out of 198 polling stations, but still they managed to manipulate and subvert the will of the people. They used 54 polling stations to steal the elections,” he claimed.
Despite the allegations, the electoral outcome remained unchanged.
Back to the ruling party
Panyako’s return marks a reversal of the decision he made in May 2023 when he resigned from UDA leadership following disagreements over the Finance Bill 2023.
At the time, he said he had been informed that he could not continue serving in the party’s leadership while opposing the government’s legislative agenda.
“I asked the President what he wanted me to do. He replied, ‘Things cannot continue this way. You will have to step down from the UDA leadership.’ I agreed and stepped down from the party’s leadership,” Panyako recalled.
Political realignments gather pace
Panyako’s return to UDA comes as political parties begin repositioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His decision is expected to reshape the political landscape in Malava, where he will first seek the ruling party’s nomination before launching his bid to unseat the current MP.
, ending his stint with DAP-K as he announces plans to contest the Malava parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.){kind=link}