President William Ruto’s long-serving personal aide, Farouk Kibet, is said to be increasingly frustrated after camping in Malava Constituency for nearly four months in a bid to secure victory for David Ndakwa, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, ahead of the November 27 by-election.
Kibet has been spearheading Ndakwa’s campaign since July, following the death of former MP Malulu Injendi, whose son, Ryan Injendi, lost in the UDA primaries.
Despite Kibet’s relentless efforts and presence in the constituency, fresh data from Mizani Africa shows that Ndakwa continues to trail Seth Panyako, the Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–K) flag bearer.
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According to the survey, Panyako leads with 44.7% voter support, while Ndakwa follows at 37.9%. About 12.5% of respondents remain undecided, suggesting a narrowing but significant gap.
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The poll further reveals that while DAP–K as a party commands 24.3% support, Panyako’s personal appeal far exceeds partisan loyalty — a sign that his popularity is driven more by individual trust and local recognition than by party influence.
Conversely, UDA’s 37.9% party rating mirrors Ndakwa’s standing, indicating that his support base is largely tied to the party rather than his personal brand.
Observers say this dynamic has frustrated Kibet, who has invested considerable political capital and time to sway Malava voters.
With less than three weeks to the by-election, Malava remains a high-stakes battleground, as Panyako’s growing grassroots support continues to challenge the dominance of President Ruto’s UDA machinery.
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