Government Approached Me to Be CS After By-Election, Panyako Claims
Seth Panyako, the United Opposition’s parliamentary candidate in the recent Malava by-election, has alleged that senior government officials approached him with an offer to join the Cabinet shortly after his defeat — an overture he says he rejected on principle.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Maisha on December 3, 2025, Panyako claimed the government reached out to him on November 28, just a day after the by-election, offering him a Cabinet Secretary position. He insisted he dismissed the offer due to what he described as intense intimidation, violence and political interference during the campaign period.
“Shamelessly, on the 28th they are telling me that they want to make me a Cabinet Secretary,” Panyako said. “Did I go for an election to be a minister? This is the highest level of inhumanity. In fact, it appears like we are being led by sycophants.”
The former Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General further claimed that this was not the first time he had been approached with a government role. According to him, he was similarly contacted in 2022, after actively campaigning for President William Ruto while still a member of the UDA party.
Panyako said he declined the position then as well, telling the President to appoint someone else because he already had “another job” at the time.
Despite his previous association with UDA, Panyako insisted that his supporters in Malava firmly backed his latest decision to reject the alleged offer.
“Since they began the stories of appointing me as a CS, many have messaged me, and the people of Kabras have told me, ‘Do not dare join that bloody government,’” he claimed.
Panyako also issued a series of allegations regarding the conduct of the by-election, accusing his competitors of bribing his polling agents with payments of up to Ksh15,000. He further alleged that police officers were complicit in some of the attacks he said were directed at him and his team.
According to Panyako, a police officer privately warned him of an impending attack ahead of polling day, prompting him to go into hiding temporarily. He claimed he unsuccessfully attempted to reach Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli for assistance during the ordeal.
His allegations come less than a week after he was defeated by UDA candidate David Ndakwa in the November 27 by-election, a contest closely watched due to its political implications for both the ruling coalition and opposition blocs.
Government officials have not issued a public response to Panyako’s claims.
Government Approached Me to Be CS After By-Election, Panyako Claims