Roots Party parliamentary aspirant Caleb Sunguti has withdrawn from the Malava Constituency by-election, just a day before he was set to present his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Sunguti, a seasoned politician and former deputy governor aspirant in the 2022 Kakamega gubernatorial race alongside Michael Osundwa, confirmed his withdrawal saying he lacked the financial muscle to compete with what he described as “government-backed candidates.”
“I have made a difficult but honest decision to withdraw from the Malava parliamentary race. The contest has become highly monetized, and as a grassroots leader without state backing, I cannot match the financial resources being poured into this election,” Sunguti said in a statement released to the media.
The 61-year-old politician, who hails from the Abatobo clan, the same clan as DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako, hinted that he may consider rallying behind Panyako in the coming weeks, though he stopped short of making a formal endorsement.
“I share a cultural bond and community connection with Mr. Panyako. As a son of the Abatobo, I will consult widely with elders and supporters before making any decision on whom to support. What matters most is that Malava gets a leader who truly represents its people,” he stated.
Sunguti added that he had officially notified both the Roots Party and the IEBC of his withdrawal, saying his decision was made “in the best interest of democracy and transparency.”
However, confusion clouded his withdrawal after a separate letter purportedly from the Roots Party surfaced online, indicating that the party had revoked his nomination certificate even before he formally announced his exit.
In the letter, allegedly signed by a senior party official, the Roots Party said it had “resolved to withdraw the nomination of Mr. Caleb Sunguti as the party’s candidate in the Malava by-election”, citing internal consultations and realignment of strategy.
Party sources, speaking anonymously, suggested that the decision was made amid growing divisions within the Roots Party’s Kakamega branch, with some members pushing for alliances with smaller parties to consolidate votes against dominant national coalitions.
Neither Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah nor the national election board officials had issued a formal clarification by press time
Sunguti, who previously served as a civic leader and education advocate in Kakamega County, was thrust into the limelight during the 2022 general election when he ran as Michael Osundwa’s running mate on a Roots Party ticket.
Despite losing, he remained active in grassroots mobilization and local development forums.
