The United Democratic Alliance party is facing a litmus test in picking who will fly its ticket in the Malava constituency by-election as the clock ticks closer to the mini-polls.

Most parties interested in the seat that fell vacant following the death or area MP Moses Injendi Malulu have already settled on their preferred candidates.

However, even as the ruling party continues with the search for a suitable candidate, brokers have swung into action and are siphoning millions from hopefuls as they promise them tickets.

Mulembe News understands that some Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) are involved in the scheme.

The brokers are dropping names of influential figures in the party, mainly Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and President Willim Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, as a bait to siphon cash from the desperate and unsuspecting hopefuls.

By using dropping the names of the two bigwigs, the brokers eliminate any chances of being suspected of defrauding their targets.

The hopefuls are told that the cash is for ‘mkubwa’ to make the wheels roll faster and in their favour.

The government has to employ more machineries on the ground to get the true picture of who can easily deliver the seat once the by-election is held.

To begin with, clan factors may not play a big role in deciding the next leader as the three major clans of Abashuu, Abasonje, and Abatovo have fielded more than one candidate.

UDA party ticket has so far attracted more than five candidates, among them former Principals Simon Kangwana, Enock Andanje, Advocate Leonard Shimaka, West Kabras Ward MCA David Ndakwa and the son to the late MP, Rhyan Injendi.

The presence of Wilberfoce Tuvei in the race and his ability to mount a serious campaign machinery without relying on external support has complicated matters for his two brothers, Shimaka and Ndakwa, as they all hail from the same Abashuu clan.

His entry in the race dimmed any hope that a son of the clan would enjoy bloc support as whoever would be picked by UDA, will have to share the pie with Tuvei.

On the other hand, Andanje has been overpowered by the Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako, who is hoping to clinch the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) ticket.

Pundits say it would be disastrous if UDA hands Andanje the ticket and faces Panyako

It is not clear whether Kangwana the favourite of the UDA party as he has been receiving warm reception if some of his latest rallies is anything to go by.

Also, he commands support among the teaching fraternity.