Former Malava by-election candidate Seth Panyako has declared that he will swear himself in as the “people’s Member of Parliament” once he returns to the constituency, insisting he legitimately won the seat.
Speaking during a podcast interview on Thursday, December 4, 2025, a visibly agitated Panyako said he would not concede defeat because he believes his victory was stolen and handed to another candidate. He compared his planned self-swearing to the 2018 mock inauguration of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, conducted by lawyer Miguna Miguna.
Panyako announced that he is preparing a major homecoming ceremony in Malava, where he intends to invite a lawyer to administer an oath declaring him the constituency’s “people’s MP.” He went as far as claiming he embodies Raila Odinga’s spirit, describing himself as the ODM leader’s political reincarnation.
“How can I concede defeat? I’m the winner. I will be sworn in as the people’s Member of Parliament for Malava. Wait for my homecoming and you will see,” Panyako said.
He added that the loss has helped him understand the frustrations Raila faced in his past presidential bids, saying he now feels the same pain of what he terms an electoral injustice. Although he previously promised to retire from politics if he lost the mini-poll, he has since apologised for earlier criticism directed at Raila, acknowledging that he now relates to the ODM leader’s experience.
Panyako also dismissed fears of state interference in his planned event, insisting that nothing can intimidate him after what he has endured since the by-election.
Raila’s Influence on His Political Path
The former unionist credited Raila Odinga for launching his political career, recalling that it was Raila who handed him the ODM ticket in the 2017 Kakamega senatorial race, which he contested unsuccessfully.