Who Is Eugene Wamalwa? DAP-K and the Western Question

Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti) leads the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and is one of the principals of Kenya's united opposition. A lawyer, he held three Cabinet posts under retired President Kenyatta and finished as Defence Cabinet Secretary in 2022. As of 23 September 2026 he held no elected office, and President William Ruto's Western allies were openly courting him to switch sides.

Background

Wamalwa was born in Saboti, Trans Nzoia, on 1 April 1969, Wikipedia says. His brother, Michael Kijana Wamalwa, was Kenya's eighth Vice-President. Wamalwa studied law at the University of Nairobi and was admitted to the bar in 1995.

His political record:

• 2003: lost the Saboti by-election.
• 2007 to 2013: MP for Saboti.
• 2011 to 2013: Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs.
• 2013: stepped out of the presidential race to back Musalia Mudavadi.
• 2015 to 2018: Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation.
• 2018 to 2021: Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and ASALs.
• 2021 to 2022: Cabinet Secretary for Defence.

In 2022 he campaigned with the Azimio la Umoja coalition. DAP-K later joined the united opposition.

The Western question

Western Kenya's vote is split. On one side are Ruto's allies, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula; on the other, the opposition. Wamalwa argues that the Luhya should field their own presidential candidate.

Citizen Digital reported on 3 January 2026 that he said the late Cyrus Jirongo had backed DAP-K in Malava and that the two had agreed on a regional candidate for 2027. At the same event Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Ken Lusaka (Governor, Bungoma) urged him to dissolve DAP-K and back Ruto. The regional picture is in Mudavadi and Wetang'ula's Western problem.

At the ballot box his party has had a thin time since 2022. In the Malava by-election in Kakamega on 27 November 2025, DAP-K's Seth Panyako lost to the United Democratic Alliance's (UDA) David Ndakwa by 20,210 votes to 21,564. In February 2026 Ayub Savula (Lugari), Kakamega's deputy governor, left DAP-K for UDA.

September 2026

• 1 September: he attended the united opposition principals' meeting convened by Kalonzo Musyoka (Mwingi North) and Martha Karua (Gichugu).
• 12 September: he was in the opposition convoy stoned in Garissa. Justin Muturi called it an "attempted assassination"; Kalonzo blamed a senior state official, an allegation that has not been tested.
• 19 September: People Daily reported he promised to investigate Kenya's government-to-government fuel deal.
• 20 September: at a funeral in Saboti, Wetang'ula told him, The Star reported: "You are in the wrong political camp. Please join us in Kenya Kwanza." He also said the formation Wamalwa backs "will betray him".
• 21 September: The Standard reported Wamalwa accused the Registrar of Political Parties of frustrating Linda Mwananchi leaders, and said: "Should Sifuna feel frustrated, I warmly invite him to join DAP-K."

A month earlier, on 20 August 2026, The Star reported that DAP-K Secretary-General Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren) was among opposition figures objecting to a reported Kalonzo-Gachagua pact that would make Kalonzo the flag-bearer.

Why the Sifuna offer matters

The Registrar blocked the "Ukombozi People's Party" name that Edwin Sifuna's allies wanted, and in late September 2026 Sifuna's camp was still choosing a vehicle. DAP-K is registered and already sits in the opposition, so a yes from Sifuna would give Wamalwa's party the opposition's best-polling Western figure. Without him, Wamalwa remains a principal with a small party.

He has a Western rival for that role. George Natembeya (Governor, Trans Nzoia) backs the Ukombozi People's Party, whose secretary-general asked the Registrar on 21 and 22 September 2026 to revoke Kalonzo's "Ukombozi Alliance" name. Natembeya's movement is profiled in how Tawe became a movement.

We found no declaration by Wamalwa for a specific 2027 seat as of 23 September 2026. See Edwin Sifuna after ODM for the other half of the offer, and the cost of party-hopping for the rules on switching.