Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Muganda Inyangala has been named as the Kenya Kwanza coordinator for the upcoming Malava parliamentary by-election.
Inyangala’s appointment seems to be a strategic decision by State House aimed at countering the rising discontent sparked by the prominent role of President Ruto’s private secretary, Farouk Kibet, in the constituency.
Inyangala, who comes from Malava, was an unsuccessful candidate for Kakamega deputy governor in 2022, having run alongside Cleophas Malalah, a former senator of the area.
The Malava seat became vacant following the passing of MP Moses Malulu Injendi on February 17.
Already, more than 30 hopefuls have expressed interest in the seat even though the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has yet to announce the election date.
The IEBC has been embroiled in controversy since January 2023 due to a lack of commissioners after their terms ended.
Just last week, the High Court halted the vetting of newly nominated commissioners following a legal challenge by two citizens.
Farouk was a close associate of the late Malava MP and was known to frequently visit him at his home in Lugusi, Chekuche ward.
The presidential aide has maintained a regular presence in Malava since Malulu’s death.He sparked controversy early on by lashing out at Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and declaring him unwelcome in the constituency.
This led to public outcry, with locals protesting his involvement, arguing that he was an outsider from outside Kakamega County and accusing him of attempting to impose a UDA candidate in an area where the party lacks strong support.
Meanwhile, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi urged Malava voters to make wise choices in the upcoming by-election and elect a unifying leader committed to development.
Mudavadi emphasized that once the IEBC is fully constituted and a date is set, it will be the residents’ civic responsibility to elect the right representative.
“Malava has a chance again. Don’t elect a joker. What’s happening in some regions stems from voters failing to take their civic roles seriously during elections,” said Mudavadi, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
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