In a historic show of unity, the Abasonje clan has unanimously endorsed Rhyan Injendi-son of the late MP Malulu Injendi, for the upcoming Malava parliamentary by-election. The move, sealed at a symbolic ceremony, positions Rhyan as the clan’s torchbearer and signals a strategic push to retain political power.
By Laventa Tete, Kakamega
Rhyan Injendi, son of the late Malava MP Malulu Injendi, has been officially endorsed by the Abasonje clan to vie for the Malava parliamentary seat in the by-election set to be announced later this year.
In a gathering that brought together all the 10 houses of the Abasonje clan at the late legislator’s home, they unanimously endorsed Rhyan Injendi as their preferred flagbearer for the upcoming mini polls.
Clan elders, led by Abasonje Chairman John Jaluo and Secretary General Peter Maasai, handed Rhyan the clan’s political mantle after his two competitors – former Kabras East MCA Lazaro Lucheveleli and Nairobi-based lawyer Edgar Busiega, skipped a mediation meeting convened to select a preferred candidate through consensus.
“All the ten houses of the Abasonje were present,” said Mr Jaluo, 96, “We asked the three candidates to sit down and agree on who should carry our flag in the by-election. Rhyan was the only one who honoured the invitation. That alone showed us he is ready for leadership.”
Mr Jaluo added that Rhyan embodies the spirit of his late father, who served the people of Malava from 2012 until his death earlier this year. “He has empathy and stands up for the community. The projects Malulu began should not stall. Only Rhyan can ensure their completion in the two years remaining in honour of his late father.”
The Chairman also warned that failure to rally behind Rhyan could plunge the Abasonje clan, back into political wilderness. “It took us over 50 years to produce a leader in the name of Malulu Injendi. Let us not waste this opportunity.”
Mr Maasai, the Secretary General echoed the chairman’s sentiments saying: “Malulu Injendi broke a long jinx for the Abasonje. Electing someone outside the lineage may take us back to square one.”
Malava Constituency, in Kakamega County, has a rich political history. Since independence, it has been represented by seasoned figures including Jonathan Masinde Welangai (1963–1969), Burudi Nabwera (1969–1979), Joshua Mulanda Angatia (1979–1988; 1992–1997), Nathan Sanya Anaswa (1988–1992), Peter Soita Shitanda (1997–2013), and most recently, Malulu Injendi.
Michael Madaga, a former Vihiga senatorial aspirant, also urged the Abasonje to unite behind Rhyan. “A leader who is self-made may not prioritise the needs of the community. Rhyan is homegrown and he understands your struggles and aspirations.”
He further called on clan elders to extend an olive branch to other clans in the constituency. “This election is not just about the Abasonje, it’s about building bridges and rallying others behind our son.”
When Rhyan took to the podium, he pledged to continue his father’s work while charting his own leadership path. “My first priority is to complete the projects my father began. But I also want to go beyond that, expand NG-CDF investments beyond infrastructure and bring in partners to uplift livelihoods.”
Pressed on which party he will use to seek the seat, Rhyan was coy: “You know my father was in government. I will also be in government too. As for the party, you – the Abasonje- shall guide me when the time comes.”
The seat is expected to be declared vacant in the coming weeks after President William Ruto reconstituted the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). A formal notice on the by-election date is expected soon.
Father Vincent Sanga of the St Teresa Catholic Parish – Malava and church leaders drawn froma cross the constituency graced the occasion and too pledged to rally their flock to support Rhyan’s bid.
