Africa-Press – Kenya. In a major political development, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has pulled out of the upcoming Kisa East ward by-elections scheduled to take place on November 27, 2025.
This is after the UDA candidate James Shiraku dropped his ambition and declared his support for the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) counterpart, Joel Ongoro Otwoma.
Shiraku, who had begun campaigning in preparation for the upcoming by-elections, revealed that he made the move after consultations with the party leadership.
Addressing a public gathering in Kakamega County on Wednesday, November 19, Shiraku said he shelved his political ambition to support his competitor, Ongoro, who has in recent weeks received significant backing.
“My name is James Shiraku. I am one of the candidates who was vying for the Kisa East seat, but now I have told Honourable Ongoro that I have agreed to support him,” he said.
Specifically, Shiraku noted that the move followed his conversation with Khwisero Member of Parliament Christopher Aseka, who has been drumming up support for Ongoro.
With Shiraku’s withdrawal, Ongoro is expected to face off with ten other candidates for the MCA seat with only seven days left until the election day.
Besides Ongoro, other candidates participating in the Kisa East by-elections include DAP-Kenya’s Abraham Ayaya and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Candidate Aduda Okwiri.
Others are the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s John Masetu, the United Democratic Movement’s (UDM) Stephen Amwayi and the Agano Party’s David Muchelule.
The by-elections seek to replace former Kisa East MCA Stephen Maloba, who died in 2023 after reportedly being stabbed to death at a political rally in Khwisero, Kakamega County.
Reports suggest that he was stabbed by goons who attempted to block him from addressing a political rally. Attempts to rush him to Mbale Hospital proved futile after he succumbed to the injuries.
Meanwhile, Shiraku’s withdrawal from participating in the race leaves UDA to concentrate on the Malava Parliamentary seat, whose election is also set to take place on November 27.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
