Malava Constituency witnessed chaos on Friday, November 21, 2025, as police clashed with residents during an opposition political rally. The event was part of campaigns for opposition candidate Seth Panyako in Malava Town.
Minutes into the rally, several police officers arrived and attempted to disperse the crowd using tear gas canisters. Residents quickly scattered, but a group of locals soon confronted the officers, forcing them to retreat. This allowed the opposition rally to continue uninterrupted.
The incident occurred just five days before the highly anticipated by-elections in Malava. While opposition candidates push for Panyako, pro-government politicians are backing David Ndakwa.
Opposition leaders condemned the police intervention, accusing the government of attempting to sabotage the election process. Speaking at the rally, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused pro-government forces of coordinating efforts to undermine the credibility of the upcoming polls.
“I have heard that they are waiting to attack us. I want to say here that I am used to being tear-gassed and I am still alive. You can continue to throw tear gas, but we will do our campaigns,” Kalonzo said.
The Malava incident has intensified concerns about the November 27 by-elections, coming just a day after opposition leaders petitioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over alleged plans to rig the Mbeere North by-election. Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi claimed that pro-government actors were planning to hire goons to influence the polls.
Muturi urged the IEBC to take immediate measures to ensure a free, fair, and credible election, warning that failure to act could compromise voter trust.
With tensions running high, security and political stakeholders are being closely watched as the countdown to the Malava by-election continues. The recent events highlight the growing need for transparent electoral processes to guarantee peace and voter confidence across the country
