Seth Panyako, who recently contested the Malava parliamentary by-election, has spoken out about what happened after the final results were announced.
According to him, government officials reached out with a high-level job offer soon after he was defeated. The offer, he says, was a Cabinet Secretary position.
Panyako shared the information during a radio interview on Wednesday, explaining why he refused to take the role.
Panyako shared the information during a radio interview on Wednesday, explaining why he refused to take the role.
He said the election period was full of tension and intimidation, and accepting a government post immediately after losing would go against what he stood for during the campaign.
He questioned why he should go through a tough election only to be handed a position he did not ask for.
The politician has had a long and active career in both politics and union leadership. He previously served as the Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses.
The politician has had a long and active career in both politics and union leadership. He previously served as the Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses.
At one point, he was also among the leaders who supported President William Ruto’s campaign during the 2022 general elections while still in the UDA party. He later shifted to DAP-K, where he ran for the Malava seat.
Panyako stated that this was not the first time such an offer was made to him. He claimed that a similar proposal came shortly after the 2022 elections, but he turned it down because he already had plans for his future and wanted to serve the people directly.
Supporters in Malava have shown strong support for his decision. He mentioned that many locals sent messages urging him not to accept the position, saying they preferred that he remain independent and continue fighting for their rights. They believed joining the government he criticized would silence his voice.
During the interview, Panyako also shared his frustrations about the election process. He alleged that some of his agents were given money to switch sides. He claimed that he received threats and that even police officers were involved in activities that made him fear for his safety.
Panyako stated that this was not the first time such an offer was made to him. He claimed that a similar proposal came shortly after the 2022 elections, but he turned it down because he already had plans for his future and wanted to serve the people directly.
Supporters in Malava have shown strong support for his decision. He mentioned that many locals sent messages urging him not to accept the position, saying they preferred that he remain independent and continue fighting for their rights. They believed joining the government he criticized would silence his voice.
During the interview, Panyako also shared his frustrations about the election process. He alleged that some of his agents were given money to switch sides. He claimed that he received threats and that even police officers were involved in activities that made him fear for his safety.
At one point, he says he had to hide temporarily after being warned of an attack.
