Seth Panyako Threatens to Swear Himself In as the 'People's MP' in Malava

In a bold and defiant move echoing Kenya's storied history of electoral disputes.

Former Malava parliamentary aspirant Seth Panyako has reiterated his intention to swear himself in as the "people's MP" for the constituency, refusing to accept his defeat in the 

Panyako, the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate, lost to Ford Kenya's David Ndakwa.

 By a narrow margin but has since accused the electoral process of rampant rigging, state-sponsored violence, and betrayal by former allies, including President William Ruto.

The drama unfolded on election day when Panyako broke down in tears at a Malava polling station, moments before casting his vote.

 Viral videos captured the aspirant wailing uncontrollably, alleging that his family and campaign workers had been brutally attacked by hired goons in a plot to derail his participation.

He claimed the assault was part of a broader intimidation campaign, with unidentified assailants operating under police supervision injuring party agents and destroying property.

Panyako was briefly arrested at Malava Police Station that morning, a move DAP-K decried as further evidence of security agencies' complicity in suppressing opposition voices.

Despite the chaos, Panyako pressed on, but the results declared Ndakwa the winner with 14,000 votes to Panyako's 12,500.

 The aspirant immediately rejected the outcome, vowing legal challenges and public resistance.

"We have not lost," he declared post-election, insisting that results from up to nine polling stations were altered and that as many as 10,000 votes were stuffed in favor of his rival.

Panyako's planned self-swearing-in ceremony draws direct inspiration from the 2018 swearing-in of opposition leader Raila Odinga.

 As the "people's president" in defiance of the official Uhuru Kenyatta presidency.

In a recent statement, Panyako announced he would hold the event during his homecoming to Malava.

Positioning himself as the legitimate representative of the electorate's will.

"I am going to be sworn in as the people's MP for Malava during my homecoming ceremony.

 I will be sworn in the way Raila Odinga was sworn in as the people's president," he said.

This comes as Ndakwa was officially sworn in as MP earlier this week, a development Panyako dismissed as illegitimate.

Supporters have rallied behind him on social media, with posts amplifying his narrative of stolen victory.

While critics mock his emotional displays as unbecoming of a political heavyweight.