Governing United Democratic Alliance led by President William Ruto faces its greatest test in Malava by-election and as has been the practice the executive has deployed massive state machinery in the constituency to ensure the seat left vacant following the death of Moses Malulu Injendi does not go to the opposition.

The civic exercise is one the seven parliamentary by-elections scheduled by Independent electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for October. It has so far attracted 36 candidates, but there are serious questions about the popularity of UDA that has come under fire since June 2024 for human rights violations, police brutality and high cost of living.

The prevailing detest against the Ruto administration has, as a consequence, sent jitters in the upper echelons of the government that has responded with a flurry of activities senior government official tours and promises.

The latest of the gifts – what some locals refer to as voter bribery – is the operationalisation of new administrative units including three new administrative units in Malava constituency of Kakamega County.

Principal Secretary for Internal Security Dr Raymond Omollo said the decision to increase the administrative units is aimed at improving efficiency and delivery of government services to wananchi.

Speaking at Tande Secondary School in the constituency during a function presided over by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Diaspora and Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, Dr Omollo said the new administrative units of Kabras East, Chemuche and Kabras West will increase the total number of sub-counties in Kakamega County to fifteen.

Omollo called for the immediate operationalisation of the units that were gazetted a year ago but never actualised. He said the new units in Malava were part of the broader government’s initiative to establish 1,105 new administrative units during the 2024/2025 financial year.

He pointed out that all other new administrative units that include divisions, locations and sub-locations were also being operationalised. He assured security officers that the government was working to renew the lease of police vehicles, adding that an additional vehicle would be given to Kakamega County to enhance security.

The principal secretary hailed the affordable housing programme, saying it has generated a significant number of jobs by empowering local entrepreneurs in the jua kali (informal) sector.

He said the government is reducing the number of between six and seven million Kenyans who live in informal settlements by providing them with clean water, electricity and other social amenities. Further, he said, the number of Kenyans who have enrolled in Social Health Authority (SHA) has increased to 25 million members.

“This has significantly reduced the burden that salaried Kenyans have been bearing to cater for non-members,” he added.

“You realise nowadays we have reduced cases of people adding you to WhatsApp to contribute towards medical bills. You are more likely to be added to contribute towards funeral expenses,” he added.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By George Kaiga