Khalwale dares UDA to eject him as Majority Whip

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has dared the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party to remove him as the Senate’s Majority Chief Whip, for supporting the Opposition candidate for the Malava parliamentary by-election instead of his party’s candidate.

Speaking at Lusheye village in Malava Constituency, when campaigning for DPA-K candidate Seth Panyako, Khalwale said that he is being targeted after the ruling party tried to coerce and intimidate him to support the UDA candidate, David Ndakwa, without success, stating that the political position he has taken is more important than the Majority Whip office.

“There is no compromise in what I have decided; what is being said on social media about threatening to remove me as a Majority Chief Whip is because they tried to force me to go against the political route my community has decided to take, which is supporting Panyako,” said Khalwale.

He said he does not regret supporting the Opposition, stating that community direction is important than the post he holds as the Majority Whip.

 “Before I became an MP for Ikolomani, I was a Luhya, same as when I became the Senator and now the majority whip. I cannot betray my community due to my position as the majority whip. I know one day all these things will come to an end, but I will remain a Luhya as my identity rather than political posts,” said Khalwale.

For the last five months, Khalwale has been criticising most of the government’s policies, especially in health, agriculture, and high taxation, despite being one of the senior ranking members of UDA.

The outspoken senator has been against most of the policies being championed by his party leader, President William Ruto, such as the Social Health Authority(SHA), distribution of national resources and implementation of development across the country, especially in the Western region, where he has argued that the region has been sidelined despite voting for President Ruto.

This month, during the clearing of Panyako by the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission(IEBC) in Malava as DAP-K candidate, Khalwale said that the mini-poll is to restore the dignity of the region, accusing President Ruto of giving a deaf ear to people who popularised UDA in the Western region and instead allowing himself to be misled by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who never contributed to the popularity of the party.

“The President is my party leader and I want to tell you not to forget where you come from because Panyako and I are the ones who helped you popularise UDA in Western. I am pleading with you, Mr President, do not be misled by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi because he is lying to you, and therefore this is a by-election that is going to redefine the politics and destiny of the Luhya people,” said Khalwale.

Khalwale has vowed to trounce President Ruto’s and Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP candidates in the upcoming Malava by-election.

Khalwale said he is going to work with Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who is a DAP-K governor, to ensure they lock out Ruto and Gachagua with their allies in Malava and Kakamega County.

“I am seeing Farouk making endless trips day and night in Malava together with Mudavadi, who has nothing to show the people of Malava. Gachagua is also trying to come to Malava through a young man by the name Cleophas Malala, but I want them to brace for a real and tough political duel, and lastly, a sound defeat,” said Khalwale.

Panyako will be facing UDA candidate Ndakwa and DCP candidate Edgar Busiega.

ODM party under Governor Fernandes Barasa is supporting the UDA candidate as an agreement within the broad-based government arrangement.

However, two weeks ago UDA party issued a notice to Khalwale, demanding that he explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for alleged misconduct and disloyalty to the party.

In a letter signed by UDA Disciplinary Committee Chairperson Charles Njenga, the party accuses Khalwale of openly supporting a candidate from a rival party in the upcoming Malava Constituency by-election, contrary to the interests of UDA and its officially endorsed candidate.

According to the committee, Khalwale’s public participation and statements during the campaigns amount to “allegiance to another political party” and “gross misconduct” in violation of the UDA Constitution and Code of Conduct.

“Your open support for a rival candidate clearly demonstrates that you are promoting a position that is against your own party’s interest and acting outside the expected conduct of a UDA member,” the letter reads in part.

The party further reminded the senator that as a nominated UDA member representing Kakamega County in the Senate, he is bound by the party’s constitution to uphold its values, promote its policies, and observe strict discipline.

Khalwale was n 14 days to respond to the allegations and show cause why sanctions should not be imposed against him. The party stated that if the Disciplinary Committee finds sufficient grounds to proceed, a formal summons will be issued for a hearing.

The letter also notes that the senator is entitled to represent himself or appear with legal counsel during the proceedings.