Campaigns for the Malava parliamentary seat have kicked off in earnest as politicians officially begin to solicit votes for their preferred candidates.

This follows clearance by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of nine candidates to vie for the seat left vacant following the demise of Moses Malulu Injendi in February this year.

IEBC cleared David Athman Ndakwa to vie on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Seth Kuka Panyako on Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K), with Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) settling for Edgar Busiega Mwanga.

Other candidates cleared for the by-election slated for November 27, were One Kenya Movement candidate Wilberforce Tuwei, George Ngaira of Party of Democratic Unity (PDU) and Benjamin Nalwa, who is vying on National Ordinary People Empowerment Union (NOPEU) party.

Others are James Angatia, son of the late former health minister Joshua Angatia to run on Alliance for Real Change (ARC), Joab Manyasi of Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and Bruce Shivakale to run on Entrust Pioneer Party (EPP).

However, the Roots Party of Kenya led by Prof George Wajackoyah revoked the nomination certificate issued to Caleb Sunguti, citing violation of party principles.

While clan numeracy is expected to play a key role, lawyer Edgar Busiega, Seth Panyako and David Ndakwa are billed as frontrunners.

The UDA party has expressed confidence of victory citing various development projects being undertaken in the area.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet are leading a broad-based team of government politicians urging the electorate to vote for the UDA candidate.

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale has however broken ranks with his party, UDA, and is supporting DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako.

Khwalale has teamed up with DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalawa and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya to drum up support for Panyako, the outspoken Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Union.

According to IEBC, campaigns shall end on Monday November 24, being 48 hours before the by-election day.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By George Kaiga