DAP Kenya has accused police in Kakamega County of detaining its Malava by-election candidate, Seth Panyako, hours after he publicly raised concerns about alleged intimidation and bribery targeting his campaign team.
The party said on Thursday that Panyako was being held at Malava Police Station, prompting renewed scrutiny over the conduct of security agencies ahead of the constituency’s crucial vote.
According to DAP Kenya, the arrest followed a night of confrontations involving individuals it described as “goons under police supervision.”
In a statement posted on X, the party alleged that the group damaged property and injured campaign agents before Panyako was taken into custody.
Police had not issued an official statement by the time of publication, leaving the circumstances of the arrest unclear.
Earlier in the morning, Panyako addressed journalists and outlined incidents he believed were intended to disrupt his campaign activities. He said he had been alerted to a possible raid by police officers at his hotel, though no officers appeared.
He also reported an encounter with a man he identified as Stanley Luvondo, saying Luvondo arrived with obscured number plates and was questioned by his team.
“His group has been moving around issuing bribes, and despite repeatedly reporting the matter to the IEBC, no action has been taken,” Panyako told reporters.
The developments come as Malava prepares for a competitive by-election that has drawn interest from several political parties seeking to strengthen their presence in Kakamega, a county long considered strategically important in western Kenya’s voting patterns.
By-elections in Kenya often attract scrutiny due to historical allegations of voter bribery, intimidation, and heavy police involvement, prompting calls for stronger oversight by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and security agencies.
Analysts note that heightened tensions in smaller constituencies such as Malava can influence local political alignments ahead of the broader 2027 contest.
DAP Kenya, a member of the Azimio coalition, has been working to consolidate its support base in the western region, where competition among coalition partners and rival parties remains intense.
The party has demanded Panyako’s immediate release and urged authorities to guarantee an environment that upholds electoral fairness.