Ryan Injendi, the son of former Malava Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi, has announced his next political move after narrowly missing out on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket for the upcoming by-election.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Ryan confirmed that he will remain in the race for the parliamentary seat despite losing in the party primaries. His announcement comes just days after the UDA National Elections Board declared David Ndakwa the winner of the nomination contest.
Ryan expressed disappointment over the outcome, claiming that the primaries were not free and fair. “I was rigged out. Senior UDA officials interfered with the process and denied me the victory I rightfully earned,” he told reporters. His remarks sparked debate among his supporters, many of whom had anticipated that he would secure the party ticket.
In what appears to be a bold political gamble, Ryan revealed that he will contest the seat as an independent candidate. “I cannot abandon the people of Malava who believe in my vision and leadership. I will be on the ballot in the by-election, and I am confident that the people will speak loudly this time,” he declared.
Political analysts have described Ryan’s move as a significant development that could reshape the race. His entry as an independent candidate is expected to split the UDA vote and intensify competition in what is already a closely watched contest. Observers note that Ryan enjoys considerable grassroots support, largely due to his father’s political legacy and his own youth-focused campaign agenda.
Meanwhile, UDA officials have maintained that the primaries were conducted transparently, insisting that the results reflected the will of party members. The party has yet to issue a formal response to Ryan’s decision to run as an independent.
With campaign activities now gaining momentum, the Malava by-election is shaping up to be a high-stakes contest. Ryan’s candidacy is expected to energize younger voters, potentially making the by-election one of the most competitive races in the region.
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