Don't Impose Leaders On Us, Malava Residents tell 'Outsiders'

BY WAKHUNGU ANDANJE

Malava constituency residents are up in arms against some leaders imposing and deciding who will take over seat left by late Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi. 

The residents drawn from the Avasonje clan were speaking during a ceremony to give nod to Edgar Busieka to contest as a front runner in the coming by-election.

They warned outsiders against coming to Malava and imposing leaders against the people wishes Led by their organizing secretary Sikolia Minyilo, the residents stated that they were all prepared to back one of their own to contest for the seat in September this year after the independence electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) being constituted.

The clan vice chairman Malumasa Mukhwana added his voice by calling on the clan and entire Malava people to back Edgar as he was the best candidate to steer the constituency ahead.

Malava which has so far witnessed 42 aspirants battling out for the seat has been under duress following external involvement by some politicians pushing for the son of the late Mp Rhyan Injendi to run for the seat.

They stated that Malava has had leaders who passed on and had sons but were not handpicked to take over from their fathers hence this one should not be optional.

"This is not a monarchy constituency where the leadership baton is passed from family to the other, we have eyes and we have decided to back Busieka for the seat as he is our preferred choice" Said Chisambo Mulanda.

He said they have decided today as Avasonje clan we have endorsed him (Edgar Busieka as) as our parliamentary aspirant and we will back him until we ensure that he clinches the seat.

"We are not going to allow outsiders to come and decide for us by giving us their project candidate that will be serving their interests only" Mulanda said.

He stated that it was time for the Kenya Kwanza administration to desist from interfering in Malava affairs and instead let the voters decide through the ballot.

They threw their weight behind Edgar saying he has displayed well his intentions to vie for the seat and he had the qualities that will see him be elected by both the young and old in equal measures.

On his part, Busieka who is a lawyer by profession thanked the clan for standing with him and endorsing him as their candidate and urged them to choose for him which party he should use to seek his election.

"I’m humbled to be allowed as a sole candidate from the clan to be allowed to vie for the seat and am calling on all the Malava people to stand with me as I seek to be their servant leader and my initial plan was to vie for the seat come 2032, but since the passing of our Mp the seat fell vacant hence the opportunity to run.”

He called for peaceful campaigns and free and fair election adding that it was each individual’s right to exercise their democratic rights by electing their suitable leaders.

The independence electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) will be constituted in the coming few months in the next few month to allow the country to hold by election. Already Malava is a beehive of activities as 41 candidates plan to square it out.