Seth Panyako Votes After Surviving Violent Hotel Attack Hours Before Polls Open

DAP-K parliamentary candidate Seth Panyako arrived at St. Joseph’s Lunyu K Primary School early Thursday morning to cast his ballot in the Malava Constituency by-election, just hours after surviving a violent assault that left his driver stabbed and several vehicles destroyed.

The incident unfolded in the pre-dawn hours when approximately 200 assailants descended on the hotel where Panyako was staying. The attackers stabbed his driver, injured a security guard, and damaged five vehicles in what witnesses described as a coordinated assault. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation, though it has intensified concerns about electoral violence in the closely watched race.

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Despite the harrowing ordeal, Panyako proceeded to vote as polls opened at 6 a.m., accompanied by DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa. The moment proved emotional for both men, underscoring the personal risks candidates face in Kenya’s increasingly volatile political environment.

“Democracy should never come at the cost of blood,” Wamalwa told reporters at the polling station. “What happened last night is an attack not just on our candidate, but on the democratic process itself.”

The by-election pits Panyako against United Democratic Alliance candidate David Ndakwa in a contest that has been marked by escalating tensions and mutual accusations of violence and intimidation between the two camps. Both sides have traded blame for incidents of voter harassment and physical confrontations in recent days.

Authorities deployed heavy security across all 198 polling stations in the constituency, with officers maintaining a visible presence to ensure peaceful voting. Electoral officials reported that despite the morning’s drama, voting proceeded smoothly throughout the day, with polls scheduled to close at 5 p.m.

Local residents queued patiently at polling centers, determined to exercise their democratic right despite the charged atmosphere. Many voters expressed frustration with the violence that has characterized the campaign period.

“We just want to vote in peace and choose our leader,” said Jane Wanjiru, a resident of Malava town. “These politicians need to respect us and stop the fighting.”

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission confirmed that all polling stations opened on time and that voting materials had been distributed without incident. IEBC officials emphasized their commitment to conducting a free and fair election despite the security challenges.

As polls closed Thursday evening, attention shifted to the counting process, with results expected to be announced within 24 hours. Security personnel remained deployed at tallying centers to prevent any disruptions during the crucial vote tabulation phase.

The outcome of the Malava by-election carries significance beyond the constituency, as it is seen as a barometer of political sentiment in the Western Kenya region and a test of strength between the opposition DAP-K party and the ruling UDA coalition.

Police have launched investigations into the hotel attack, with several suspects reportedly in custody. Authorities have vowed to prosecute anyone found responsible for electoral violence, warning that such acts will not be tolerated in Kenya’s democratic process.

The by-election was necessitated by the death of the previous member of parliament earlier this year, setting the stage for what has become one of the most contentious electoral contests in recent memory.