DAP-Kenya’s Seth Panyako Quits Opposition, Rejoins Ruto’s UDA
“I will be vying for the Member of Parliament, Malava Constituency, on the UDA Party ticket in the 2027 General Election,” Panyako wrote.
Former Democratic Action Party (DAP-Kenya) politician Seth Panyako .Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Former Democratic Action Party (DAP-Kenya) politician Seth Panyako has left the opposition party and rejoined President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), barely a year after losing the Malava by-election.
Panyako made the announcement himself on Thursday, July 17, through a post on his social media accounts.
In the post, he officially declared his political ambition for the next general election. He said he will contest for the Member of Parliament seat for Malava Constituency on a UDA ticket in the 2027 General Election.
“I will be vying for the Member of Parliament, Malava Constituency, on the UDA Party ticket in the 2027 General Election,” Panyako wrote.
Panyako is also the Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN). In his remarks, he dismissed claims that he was planning to vie for a Senate seat. He said that talk was propaganda, meaning false information meant to confuse people.
“Those who are claiming that I will be vying for a Senate seat, I want to tell you that that is propaganda,” the vocal politician added.
In a separate post, he also said he is planning a big homecoming ceremony soon to officially announce his return to UDA and his stand ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Homecoming soon. Stay tuned for the official date and venue. Malava people first,” Panyako wrote.
A Big Political U-Turn
Panyako’s return to UDA marks a dramatic political turnaround.
In May 2023, he had publicly resigned from UDA while serving as its Vice Chairman. At that time, he was very critical of the government.
He said the Kenya Kwanza administration led by President William Ruto had failed to keep its key campaign promise of reducing the cost of living, which was the main promise that made many Kenyans vote for them in 2022.
He was especially angry about the government’s support for the Finance Bill, 2023, and the introduction of the housing levy. The housing levy is money deducted from workers’ salaries to build affordable houses. Panyako said these policies put a heavier burden on ordinary Kenyans.
He said he could no longer defend policies that he believed were hurting Kenyans and that his priority was to stand with the people.
After quitting UDA, he joined the Eugene Wamalwa-led DAP-Kenya party and became one of the opposition figures who were critical of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
What Happened in Malava By-Election?
In November last year, Panyako vied for the Malava parliamentary seat in a by-election on a DAP-Kenya ticket, but he narrowly lost to UDA candidate David Ndakwa. Panyako got 20,210 votes against Ndakwa’s 21,564 votes. It was a very close race.
Now, his declaration that he will seek the same seat on a UDA ticket in 2027 is expected to reshape the political landscape in Malava and Kakamega County as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Many will be watching his homecoming ceremony to see how residents of Malava will receive him back in the ruling party.
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