The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Malava by-election ticket losers have conceded defeat and agreed to support the government of the day to clinch the seat.

Simon Kangwana and Leonard Shimaka unanimously agreed that they had lost to their own, David Ndakwa, in a free and fair election held within the constituency.

While attending a thanksgiving ceremony at Kangwana’s home led by Presidential aide Farouk Kibet, the two agreed to have lost but expressed their desire to work with the government of the day to see not only the UDA party deliver the Malava MP seat but also vote in President William Ruto for his second term.

The two, who were hailed for their input in the just-ended UDA nominations, were promised to be included in the formation of the UDA administration as long as they and their supporters back both David Ndakwa (Malava MP seat) and William Ruto (President) in the 2027 election.

Addressing the locals, Simon Kangwana stated that he had decided to stay put within the UDA as it was the ruling party in the country.

He said the thought of going independent or going to the Opposition was more costly and came with a lot of repercussions.

He asked the government to ensure that his supporters are catered for as they enter the home stretch lap towards the November polls.

Kangwana narrated how the death of Malava MP Malulu Injendi led to his early retirement after he was approached by the locals to vie for the seat.

“I was left with nine years to my retirement as chief principal, but upon the demise of Malava MP I was pushed by the locals to fill in the vacancy, which I took up boldly, and we campaigned for seven months until last weekend when we went for UDA nominations, losing to my colleague David Ndakwa,” he expressed.

“The Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda (BETA) manifesto for the UDA administration has been fruitful as the country has achieved more in terms of resources and farm inputs, and we must stand with the government of the day,” he added.

To back his commitment to government, the teaching fraternity led by the sub-county KNUT chairman, Simon Sindani Ondeyo, praised the William Ruto administration for its commitment to teachers in the recent State House visit and assured him of their full support in the Malava by-election as well as the 2027 general polls.

He, however, maintained that he was supporting UDA leadership and would not jump ship.

“Kangwana has been one of us and his main support also came from teachers. We have confidence in your government that you will not only bring him on board but also absorb his supporters since they are for a UDA win in the constituency,” said Ondeyo.

On his part, Shimaka said they put their best foot forward but luck was not on their side, promising to keep campaigning for the government as it was committed to bringing development to the people of Malava Constituency.

He said he was looking forward to the thanksgiving ceremony to be held at his home this Friday.

The Presidential aide, Farouk Kibet, pledged the government’s support to the two UDA aspirants, noting that the President was indeed grateful for their campaigns in support of the UDA party.

The government will continue to initiate development in Malava as it is his neighbouring constituency, which supported his election bid to become President, and he was returning the favour.

He continued to drum up support for his second-term re-election, after which he would also marshal his kinsmen to support the Mulembe candidature to the August House.

He told off the Opposition for pitching tent in Malava and bringing no development but harshly criticising the government.

“My Malava people, I call upon you to shun divisive politics and instead ask these DAP-Kenya and their DCP cousins to initiate development projects here so that they can be voted for,” he advised.

Kibet also cautioned the electorate against entertaining tribal politics that was meant to bring about anarchy and chaos within the tribes of Kenya.

“UDA is an already established entity that is dangling goodies to the people of Malava, and yet the Opposition, which is still in its teething stage, comes around here to convince you that it has more goodies for you only if you give it time to attain its adult stage. Between the two, which one will you go for in your right-thinking mind?”

He pointed out that the UDA candidate David Ndakwa emerged the best out of the four and hence he should be supported to deliver the Malava seat on the UDA ticket, as this will secure the constituency votes in favour of William Ruto’s second term as Kenya’s President.

He promised that the government would incorporate both Kangwana and Shimaka as they had played a big role in securing UDA votes in Malava.

During the visit, he donated Ksh 1 million to Muriola Primary School, and also gave out Ksh 200,000 towards upgrading the Namagara-Muriola road before grading, and promised to visit Namagara Secondary as it was among the best performing in the sub-county.